Crystal Palace 'doing everything' to agree Chris Richards deal, new timeline revealed
Crystal Palace are doing everything in their power to agree a contract extension with Chris Richards before the start of next season.
The 26-year-old was a crucial part of Palace's success under Oliver Glasner and played a key role in lifting the FA Cup, Community Shield and Conference League.
Palace are bracing for major changes this summer, with the arrival of a new manager likely to mean squad alterations, but they hope to keep their best players.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Palace are hopeful of getting Richards tied down to a new contract with talks accelerating.
The USA international is currently preparing for the World Cup, where he is expetced to feature heavily, and his future could be sealed after the tournament.
Could Chris Richards sign a new Crystal Palace contract?
Brown first told Football Insider in November that Palace had planned contract talks with Richards, who is happy at Selhurst Park and keen to extend his stay.
The centre-back has been part of the successful foundations put in place, and there are no plans to lose him in the near future despite a potential squad overhaul.
Richards' current contract at Selhurst Park is set to run until 2027, and the Eagles are extremely reluctant to lose him for free, with talks now set to accelerate.
"We speak a lot about Crystal Palace keeping their best players," Brown told Football Insider.
"But it's just as important to keep the squad players who have played important roles but aren't necessarily viewed as those top-line players in the side.
"There's talk about [Adam] Wharton, [Jean-Philippe] Mateta and [Maxence] Lacroix, but Richards has played just as big a role in Palace's success.
"They want to reward him with a new contract, and from what I hear, he's happy at Palace so I expect he will be willing to extend his deal.
"Palace will be doing everything they can to keep players like Richards at the club, they definitely don't want to lose him on a free, so I'm sure there will be movement after the World Cup."
Which other players do Crystal Palace hope to keep?
Richards is not the only player Palace hope to keep hold of next summer as they step up plans to improve their squad rather than weaken it with any major sales.
The departures of Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi in recent windows impacted the squad, and alongside Glasner's departure, Palace hope to avoid futher upheaval.
Brown told Football Insider on 3 June that Crystal Palace are confident of keeping Wharton, despite interest from the likes of Liverpool and Real Madrid.
The Eagles believe the opportunity to play Europa League football in a side that has proven it can win trophies should be enough to hand on to their star man.
Meanwhile, they are believed to value the midfielder at upwards of £80million, potentially deterring any of his suitors in a boost to Palace's chances of keeping him.