Wilfried Zaha: Former Crystal Palace star linked with shock Vasco da Gama move

Wilfried Zaha, the Ivory Coast and England-qualified winger currently without a club, is being linked with a surprise move to Brazilian side Vasco da Gama. The 33-year-old left Galatasaray at the start of July and is available as a free agent, opening the door for negotiations over a deal in Brazil’s Serie A.

Zaha is understood to be weighing up his next move after a nomadic spell over the past two seasons that included loans at Lyon and MLS side Charlotte. His most recent permanent registration was with Galatasaray, where he arrived from Crystal Palace in the summer of 2023. He went on to help the Istanbul club win the Turkish league title and Super Cup in the 2023-24 campaign, adding the first major honours of his senior career.

The winger built his reputation in England, making more than 300 Premier League appearances and scoring 68 goals, most of them across multiple spells with Crystal Palace. He has also played in the Championship, MLS and the Turkish top flight, as well as featuring briefly in the Champions League.

Vasco da Gama’s interest is thought to centre on the possibility of securing an experienced wide forward without paying a transfer fee, with Zaha’s current market value estimated at around €3.5 million. With no contract tying him elsewhere following his departure from Galatasaray on 1 July 2026, Zaha is free to negotiate directly with Vasco and other potential suitors as he assesses the next step in his career.