Galatasaray are reportedly set to announce two new additions in the coming days after agreeing deals with Mauro Icardi and Wilfried Zaha.
The Turkish powerhouse have now made Mauro Icardi’s move from Paris Saint Germain permanent after he enjoyed a return to form during his loan stint in Turkey Super Lig last season.
The 30-year-old Argentina International has put pen to paper on a three years deal with Galatasaray who also secured the services of former Olympique Marseille striker Cedric Bakambu.
According to transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, the former Inter Milan frontman’s transfer fee was reportedly worth 10 million euros, five-time less than what the French club paid for the Nerazzurri back in the summer of 2022.
What happened between Mauro Icardi and Paris Saint Germain?
Icardi struggled to find the same success in the French capital as he had in Italian Serie A. He, however, scored 20 goals in his first season in Paris.
In the shadow of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe, he also had trouble getting regular playing time.
Galatasaray was glad to welcome Icardi’s return to the club after his impressive debut season, especially since Paris Saint Germain were unwilling to create room for the Argentine attacker in their plans.
PSG will get a fee of €10 million after spending €50 million to acquire the striker from Inter Milan in 2020.
After spending 2019 on loan with PSG from Inter Milan, Icardi ultimately secured a permanent transfer to the French club for €50 million the following summer.
In his first two years in France, he made 62 appearances across all competitions and scored 33 goals while adding 10 assists.
He was quickly pushed to the sidelines at the French capital club, which instead favored attacking stars like Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe.
The South American joins Galatasaray on loan for the 2022-23 season in pursuit of regular playing time after making just 10 Ligue 1 starts in the 2021-22 campaign.
He hit his stride in Turkey, where he scored 23 times and added eight assists in 26 games across all competitions.
The striker played a critical role in the Istanbul club’s league championship.
Because of Icardi’s impressive play, Galatasaray have secured his service on a long-term contract.
Galatasaray will also sign Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha who will join the club for free following the expiration of his current contract with the Eagles this summer.
Galatasaray set to sign Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace
What happened between Crystal Palace and Wilfried Zaha?
Zaha, who had hoped to join a major European team, decided not to renew his contract with Crystal Palace and will instead play for Galatasaray after negotiations with a Saudi Arabian club broke down.
The English Premier League club were willing to retain the service of the former Manchester United player and tabled a contract offer reportedly worth 200,000 pounds per week.
The Ivorian forward had been Crystal Palace’s star player, having been named the club’s MVP three times before he left.
The winger, who is 30 years old, has already moved to Turkey and will be officially announced as a member of the club in the next few days.
Zaha was linked with several European clubs including Italian club Lazio and Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahce was keen to acquire the 30-year-old service.
The former Manchester United forward was also linked with a move to Saudi Arabia but turned down the move to the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia outfit Al Nassr allegedly proposed a 30 million pounds a year contract for Zaha, which was thereafter rejected by the 30-year-old winger due to his determination to remain in Europe.
The Ivorian international will get a physical before signing a three-year contract with the current champions of the Turkish Super Lig.
Zaha has never played in the Champions League before, but with the Turkish team in the second qualifying round, that could change soon.
The transfer announcement marks the end of Zaha’s time at Crystal Palace, where he played for 458 games across two different stints and contributed 90 goals and 76 assists.
What’s next for Galatasaray?
The current Turkish champion will announce the signing of Mauro Icardi and Wilfried Zaha in the coming days.
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