Chelsea’s hopes of signing Wilfried Zaha have been drastically boosted after the player hired super-agent Pini Zahavai to help him leave Crystal Palace.

The Ivory Coast international tried and failed to get a move away in the summer, even handing in a transfer request.

Getty Images - Getty 3 Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha could finally get his Selhurst Park exit

Arsenal and Everton made moves for the winger, who served notice of his intention to split with long-term agent Will Salthouse last September due to frustration at being unable to leave Selhurst Park.

According to the Daily Mail, the 26-year-old has since linked up with Israeli super-agent Zahavi to help broker an exit.

The 76-year-old, who worked with Neymar during his move to PSG, has excellent links to Chelsea and owner Roman Abramovich having helped the Russian purchase the Blues back in 2003.

Zaha will remain under contract with Salthouse’s Unique Sports Management until this summer, when a private arbitration hearing to be set in order to grant compensation.

Getty - Contributor 3 Pini Zahavi is the super-agent behind some of the biggest deals in football

Getty Images - Getty 3 The 26-year-old wanted to leave to play Champions League football

Chelsea have held an interest in the former Manchester United winger for several years and are now free to make a move this month after FIFA lifted their transfer ban.

However, they may well have to wait until the summer to make a move as Palace hold out for close to £80million.

Blues boss Frank Lampard vented his frustrations to talkSPORT after his attackers failed to put away their chances during the draw away to Brighton on New Year’s Day.