CLUB PRESIDENT REACTS WHEN ASKED IF HE’S SIGNING CRYSTAL PALACE STARFenerbahce president Ali Koc has distanced himself from reports linking Crystal Palace’s Premier League veteran Wilfried Zaha to the Turkish Super Lig giants. 

The Ivorian’s agent has been a busy man over the last few days; his phone about as hot as Alan Partridge’s apple pie.

According to Sky Sports, Wilfried Zaha has ‘agreed’ a deal not only with Fenerbahce but also with Serie A outfit Lazio and at least one unnamed Saudi Arabian side. There is also a chance that he stays at Crystal Palace, despite officially becoming a free-agent on Saturday.

Zaha, then, is certainly not short of options.

A dream move to the likes of Arsenal may have passed the 30-year-old by. But the prospect of European football – Lazio will be in the Champions League next term, Fenerbahce in the Europa – should appeal to a player who might not get a better chance to make his mark on the biggest stage.

Crystal Palace still hope to keep Wilfried Zaha

Fenerbahce president Ali Koc was reluctant to give anyway away when quizzed about a move for Zaha this week, however.

“I never said ‘We are dealing with this (a deal for Zaha)’,” Koc tells Sporx.

“I prefer to use my right not to speak.”

Of course, this is not a flat denial of the rumours. Perhaps Koc was wary of showing his hand, at a time in which Fenerbahce are facing competition from a number of interested parties in almost every corner of the globe.

Crystal Palace have still not given up hope of welcoming the club legend back to Selhurst Park. According to the Daily Mail, he has been offered a new ‘long-term deal’ worth £200,000-a-week. Should he sign it, that would be the biggest contract agreed by any player in Palace history.

Palace reportedly see Flamengo starlet Matheus Franca as a potential replacement, while former England international Gabby Agbonlahor believes Roy Hodgson’s side could do worse than to bring in another veteran freebie – Willian – should Zaha depart.

“The way he played last season (at Fulham), he was sharp still,” Agbonlahor tells talkSPORT (4 June, 9.40am). “He didn’t look 34 years old. Every game he played, I thought he had a big impact.”

“If I am a London club, I am going in for him, because he’s come out and said that his family is happy in London. He loves it in England.

“So if I am Crystal Palace – you know, losing Zaha – I would go in for him. Maybe he’s not the answer for every game but someone to fight for a place in the team, why not? Two-year deal at 34, he’s not going to lose it overnight. He was outstanding last season.”