Wilfried Zaha bids emotional Crystal Palace farewell ahead of Galatasaray move

Former Eagles talisman hailed “amazing memories” at Selhurst Park after flying to sign a three-year contract in Istanbul

Wilfried Zaha last night flew to Istanbul after agreeing to sign for Galatasaray, having left Crystal Palace.

The forward’s contract at Selhurst Park expired at the end of last month, and it had remained unclear since last season whether he would leave or sign a new deal.

But Turkish Super Lig champions Galatasaray have won the race to sign the 30-year-old, announcing yesterday that negotiations had begun, before flying him out to Istanbul last night.

Since becoming a free agent, Zaha had spent a large proportion of the past three weeks on holiday, mulling over his options.

Wilfried Zaha set to join Galatasaray as club confirms negotiations after Crystal Palace exit

The Ivory Coast international is in the progress of finalizing a move to Galatasaray

Galatasaray are set to sign Wilfried Zaha after confirming they have begun negotiations with Zaha’s camp, as the free agent edges closer to a move.

Zaha’s contract at Crystal Palace expired at the end of last month, and it has remained unclear since last season whether he will leave for pastures new or instead sign a new deal with the club he joined as an Under-10s player.

The 30-year-old Ivorian scored 90 goals and 76 assists in 458 appearances for his boyhood club between 2010 and this year.

Midway through last season, Palace offered him £200,000 a week in a bid to make him the highest-paid player in the club’s history and keep him at Selhurst Park.

Zaha kept his cards close to his chest, and after rejecting the option to sign that contract, he has received lucrative offers from the likes of Lazio, Fenerbahce, and Al-Nassr in recent weeks.

But Fenerbahce’s Turkish Super Lig rivals Galatasaray are now set to sign the Ivory Coast international.

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

The deal is not complete yet, but there is a willingness to cooperate on both sides and Zaha is now expected to sign a contract in the coming days, after personal terms are agreed.