Well, at least the Crystal Palace legend scratched his Champions League itch.
He had never made any secret about his desire to try his hand at the top table. And, after leaving his beloved Crystal Palace on a free transfer during the summer of 2023, Wilfried Zaha can look back on his time in Turkey and know he has ticked two items of his footballing bucket list.
Not only did Zaha feature six times in the Champions League – scoring against Manchester United to boot – he also won the first major trophy of his career.
Galatasaray broke the 100-point barrier as they snatched the Super Lig title from under the noses of Istanbul neighbours Fenerbahce.
HITC understands, however, that Zaha is now keen to secure a return to England. A feeling that has now been confirmed by Galatasaray’s own head coach.
Tottenham and Aston Villa keen on Wilfried Zaha
The former England international scored 10 goals and set up five more during what looks increasingly likely to be his first and also last season on Turkish soil.
HITC can reveal that former employers Crystal Palace are interested.
But Zaha may also receive offers from Leicester City, Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and a Newcastle United side who are facing uncertainty surrounding the future of the MLS-linked Miguel Almiron.
“There were transfer talks with Wilfried Zaha recently,” Gala coach Okan Buruk tells Sporx. “He is a player who wants to return to the Premier League.”
Zaha was not in the squad as Galatasaray defeated Hatayspor 2-1 on Friday night. Mauro Icardi and Michy Batshauyi scored late on for the reigning champions, with Buruk now confirming that the Ivorian’s absence was with a potential injury concern in mind.
“The player does not want to risk himself,” Buruk adds. “We talked with him and decided he would not be in the squad.”
No future at Turkish champions Galatasaray
Aston Villa are in the market for a winger after selling Moussa Diaby to Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.
Tottenham Hotspur’s interest may come as more of a surprise, however, given the extent of options available for Ange Postecoglou in the wide areas. Spurs can pick from Brennan Johnson, Timo Werner, Richarlison, Heung-Min Son and pre-season star Dejan Kuluvsevki.
There is also Manor Solomon to return after an injury-hit 2023/24 campaign in North London.
Former Premier League playmaker Paul Merson was surprised to learn that Zaha had chosen to join Galatasaray 12 months ago, feeling that the winger would not have looked out of place at a Tottenham side who have expressed their interest one year later.
“Zaha (on a) free transfer. Who is going to have him?” ex-Arsenal, Aston Villa and Portsmouth ace Merson told Sky Sports News. “Could he go back to Man United? Would Arsenal have him? I thought Tottenham would definitely have him.
“All of a sudden, no disrespect to Turkish football, he is playing at Galatasaray and you are quite shocked, on a free transfer.”
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