Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace

Premier League • England

Premier League forward closes in on European move after snubbing record deal to stay in England

Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace challenges Harry Kane of Tottenham

Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace challenges Harry Kane of Tottenham

Wilfred Zaha is said to be close to signing for his next club with negotiations being ‘advanced’ with a top European club.

Upon his contract expiring with Crystal Palace, plenty of top clubs from around the globe have been linked with the 30-year-old winger.

Palace themselves were hopeful of keeping Zaha as they even offered him a club-record contract offer worth £200,000 a week to keep him at the club.

Zaha appears to be after a fresh challenge though and Galatasaray seem to be his preferred destination. The Turkish club released a club statement which confirmed the talks.

“Official negotiations have started with the football player regarding the transfer of professional football player Dazet Wilfried Armel Zaha to our club,” the club statement confirmed.

Plenty of clubs had tried to sign Zaha, but it appears as if Galatasaray have won the race. It has previously been reported that Zaha had agreed terms with Lazio, Fenerbahce and Al-Nassr, thus giving him the chance to decide his next club.

While the deal is not yet complete, the Turkish club will be hoping to finalise the move in the following days. Zaha scored seven league goals last season and will be a great addition at Galatasaray.

The Turkish giants have had a busy transfer window so far, having already signed the likes of Angelino, Cedric Bakambu and Halil Dervisoglu.

Zaha will become a high-earner in Turkey

According to the Daily Mail, the contract offer on the table from Galatasaray is worth around £8m-a-year. Given Zaha will be joining on a free transfer, they will be able to hand him a highly lucrative deal.

Zaha made a total of 458 appearances across his two spells with Crystal Palace and scored 90 goals in that time. He helped them win promotion to the Premier League and has played a vital role in keeping them there since.

Fabrizio Romano confirmed that the talks between Zaha and Galatasaray are now ‘advanced’ with the Turkish club looking to wrap up a deal as soon as possible.

“Galatasaray confirm talks have started to sign Wilfried Zaha on free transfer,” Romano clarified.

“Negotiations are advanced as Zaha could be next signing after Bakambu. Crystal Palace offered him record new deal but Gala are pushing to get it done.”

Palace will find it tough to replace the brilliance of Zaha, but they have proven themselves to be savvy operators in the transfer market of late.

They have an excellent track record when it comes to signing players from the Championship. Just take the likes of Eberechi Eze or Michael Olise for example.

During this window so far they have already snapped up Jefferson Lerma on a free transfer, upon his contract with Bournemouth running out.

Palace will be keen to add to their attacking options and soften the blow of Zaha leaving for Galatasaray. Roy Hodgson will be keen on signing a player or two before the new season begins.

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