Crystal Palace legend Wilfried Zaha has confirmed that he will not be returning to Selhurst Park, although he has yet to confirm where he will be plying his trade when the action resumes next season.
Palace reportedly offered Zaha a new deal worth GBP200,000 a week to stay with them, an offer that he considered seriously, but rumours now suggest that he is close to a move to Turkish club Galatasaray – a move that will bring with it much coveted Champions league football.
In a farewell message to Palace fans on Instagram Zaha wrote: “As I start a new chapter, I want to speak to you Palace fans who mean so much to me.
“We have been through so much together, including 10 years in the Premier League. There are loads of amazing memories that will stay in my head forever and also some really tough times along the way, but I’m so proud to have played my part in getting us to the Prem and helping to keep us there.
“I’ve been wearing the Palace shirt since I was eight years old, it’s literally been my second skin and I always gave everything when I wore it.
“You have all seen me angry and frustrated, but you’ve also seen my hunger and passion and the joy that I take from winning, and I hope that is the memory that lives on in the minds of Palace fans.”
In all Zaha scored 90 goals in 458 games for Palace, having initially joined the club’s academy as a 12-year-old.
Although he has been linked with moves to Lazio in Italy and The Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, it is Galatasaray who appear to be winning the race for the Ivorian international after they Tweeted a message to confirm that formal negotiations have been initiated with Zaha.
Wilfried Zaha: future Galatasaray player ✈️
— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 23, 2023
(via @GalatasaraySK) pic.twitter.com/6Ec00Naqtl
