Leicester City are reportedly closing in on signing Wilfried Zaha, with a return to Crystal Palace falling apart.
Wilfried Zaha is a familiar name at Crystal Palace, a club where he burst onto the scene and built a name for himself in the modern game. The winger has had two fruitful spells at Selhurst Park and was linked with a return following a poor 2023/24 campaign at Turkish side, Galatasaray.
The 31-year-old Ivorian international, who joined Galatasaray in the summer of 2023 after leaving Crystal Palace on a free transfer, is keen on a return to the Premier League. However, Fabrizio Romano has now ruled out a third stint with the Eagles. While the Italian journo failed to provide further context, it would appear that a move to London is all but dead in the water.
Zaha has little to worry about, as a return to the Premier League is still very much on the cards. Newly promoted Premier League club Leicester City are now in the fray and have already agreed on a return for the 31-year-old. Zaha’s experience in the top flight will certainly aid the Foxes’ aim to stave off relegation.
Set to return to the Premier League?
Zaha’s absence from Galatasaray’s recent match against Hatayspor has fuelled speculation about his potential move back to England. The winger, who has found himself lower in the pecking order at Galatasaray, appears eager to reignite his career in the English top flight.
If Leicester City successfully secure Zaha’s services, he will become the Foxes’ fifth signing of the summer, following the arrivals of Bobby De Cordova Reid, Michael Golding, Caleb Okoli, and Abdul Fatawu. Zaha enjoyed a productive debut season with Galatasaray, contributing ten goals and five assists in 42 appearances and helping the team clinch the Turkish Super Lig title.
The potential addition of Zaha would bring valuable experience and attacking prowess to the Foxxes’ squad as they prepare for the upcoming Premier League campaign. The Foxes will wrap up their pre-season schedule with a friendly against French side Lens before facing Tottenham Hotspur in their Premier League opener on August 19.
A return to Selhurst Park would have marked the third time Zaha had signed for Crystal Palace, having previously scored 90 goals and provided 62 assists in 458 appearances across two spells with the club.
However, the move back to Crystal Palace now appears to be off the table, paving the way for Leicester City to swoop in. With just the signature left, Zaha is as good as a Foxes player unless there is some 11th hour twist.