Ivory Coast international Wilfried Zaha has announced his departure from Premier League side Crystal Palace, and Turkish champions Galatasaray have revealed they are in discussions with the forward.
Zaha, 30, declined a contract extension from Crystal Palace, which was reportedly worth £200,000 ($256,000) per week. The player, who joined the London club at the age of 12, has contributed 90 goals in 458 games for Palace and had a challenging two-year spell at Manchester United, including two loan stints with the Eagles.
Taking on Instagram, Zaha expressed gratitude to the Palace fans, with whom he shared a journey spanning 10 years in the Premier League. He acknowledged the highs and lows of his time with the club and underscored his pride in helping the team reach and sustain a position in the top flight.
Emphasizing his long-standing association with Palace since childhood, he described wearing the club’s shirt as his second skin and vowed to give his all during his tenure.
The Ivory Coast forward, who previously represented England at the international level, urged the fans to remember the positive moments and his unwavering dedication to the club.
He acknowledged that emotions sometimes got the better of him, but he hoped his passion for winning and the joy of playing for Palace would be the prevailing memories in the hearts of the supporters.
Having joined Manchester United for £10 million in 2013, Zaha struggled to establish himself and made just two appearances before returning to Crystal Palace on loan. He later joined Palace permanently in 2015.
While rumours have linked him to other clubs like Lazio, Al-Nassr, and Fenerbahce, Galatasaray has emerged as the leading contender to secure his signature. The Turkish club confirmed that formal negotiations with the player are underway, indicating that they are keen on acquiring his services.
As Zaha embarks on a new chapter in his football career, the transfer speculation surrounding him intensifies. Crystal Palace fans bid farewell to a player who has left an indelible mark on the club, while Galatasaray fans eagerly await the potential arrival of a proven talent who could strengthen their squad significantly.
