Galatasaray confirm they are in talks to sign Wilfried Zaha on a free transfer, with the winger set to pen an £8m-a-year contract after his Crystal Palace contract expired

Galatasaray have confirmed they are in official talks to sign free agent Wilfried Zaha.

Mail Sport reported on Saturday that Galatasaray were pushing to sign the 30 year-old forward following the expiry of his Crystal Palace contract.

And a statement posted on the Turkish champions’ Twitter account on Sunday said: ‘Official negotiations have started with the football player regarding the transfer of professional football player Dazet Wilfried Armel Zaha to our club.’

While a deal is not yet finalised, Galatasaray are understood to be working through the logistics that would enable Zaha to travel to Turkey to finalise a move.

They are hoping to tempt forward Zaha with a contract offer worth around £8m-a-year.

He is still being treated for a hamstring injury that forced him out of two Crystal Palace games

Zaha is available on a free after allowing his Crystal Palace contract to run down, though he has continued to train at his hometown club as he recovers from the hamstring injury that brought a premature end to his 22/23 season.

He has been the subject of interest and enquiries from clubs in Saudi Arabia, Paris Saint-Germain, Napoli, Lazio and Galatasaray’s rivals Fenerbahce.

But in the same way Galatasaray beat Fenerbahce to last season’s Turkish title, they are trying to pip them to Zaha’s signature.

By winning the title Galatasary secured entry to the Champions League qualifying round, a competition Zaha wants to test himself in and factor that significantly increases their appeal.

As well as the interest from overseas, Zaha also had a renewal offer from Crystal Palace worth £200,000-per-week.

But that remained unsigned allowing him to keep his options open over his future.

Galatasaray can offer Zaha the chance to play in the Champions League after winning the Turkish Super Lig title