Crystal Palace eye audacious swoop for Grealish to replace Zaha

Crystal Palace have earmarked Aston Villa star Jack Grealish as their top choice to replace Wilfried Zaha this summer, claims The Daily Mail.

Zaha has confirmed he wants Champions League football and Palace are ready to cash in on the £80m-rated forward at the end of the season.

The Eagles accept that Zaha has outgrown the club and will not stand in his way of leaving if a suitor competing in the Champions League step forward and match their valuation.

Roy Hodgson will be allowed to use the money raised from Zaha’s sale to bolster his options and the former England manager has identified Grealish as a top transfer target.

It would not be a like-for-like replacement but Hodgson believes Grealish's creative spark and drive from midfield can help fill the void left by Zaha.

Villa have managed to fend off interest in Grealish from Tottenham in the past but may not be successful this summer if they miss out on promotion to the Premier League.

Grealish has already been warned by England manager Gareth Southgate that he needs to play regular Premier League football to break into his squad.

Villa are well placed to secure promotion to the Premier League and avenge last season’s play-off final defeat after making it 10 straight wins in the league on Easter Monday.

Palace’s hopes of signing Grealish rest on whether Villa miss out on promotion but even then it would be a surprise if the Eagles won the race for his signature.

Grealish has played a direct hand in 12 league goals this season and is the second highest WhoScored rated player in the division (7.47).