Wilfried Zaha to Leave Galatasaray for Ligue 1 Side Lyon in Shock Transfer Deal
Updated: August 29, 2024, 20:25 GMT+1 | Published: August 29, 2024, 20:22 GMT+1
Crystal Palace legend Wilfried Zaha is on the verge of leaving Turkish club Galatasaray and joining Ligue 1 side Lyon on a season-long loan deal. The 31-year-old has struggled to make an impact in Turkey since departing the Premier League in the summer of 2023, and it appears that his nightmare has finally come to an end.
Zaha departed Crystal Palace on a free transfer last year, rejecting the offer of a new deal at Selhurst Park. The Ivory Coast international was touted to make a swift return to the Premier League, with both Palace and Leicester keen on securing his services. However, complications over his tax liabilities in the UK led to the breakdown of the deals.
Since returning to Galatasaray’s first team, Zaha has struggled for game time, making just 43 appearances last season, half of which were starts. His situation appears to be resolved with an agreement nearing on his departure. The French club is in need of a boost following their disappointing start to the season, having lost both of their opening fixtures.
Zaha’s departure from Palace was a result of his desire to spread his wings and leave his legacy beyond Crystal Palace. He expressed his sentiments to The Unpressables Podcast in July, saying: "Champions League is top, but I just needed something new and the reality is, obviously Premier League is top, top, but I just wanted my identity not just to be Crystal Palace… I’m more than Crystal Palace."
Back in July, Zaha reflected on his decision to leave Palace, citing his desire to be seen as more than just a Palace player: "I didn’t want my talent to just be seen like one of those things where the people go ‘the streets won’t forget ballers’… No, I helped the team win games. You can look at stats, if I didn’t play, we weren’t winning."
After making 458 appearances for the Eagles, Zaha’s time in Turkey may be coming to an end. If the Lyon deal goes ahead, it would be a major coup for the French club and a welcome boost to Zaha’s career.
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Topics: Transfer News, Premier League, Crystal Palace, Wilfried Zaha, Galatasaray, Ligue 1, Lyon