Crystal Palace are moving to secure the future of Chris Richards, with the club preparing to offer the defender a new contract despite his current deal running until 2027.

The Eagles have seen several high-profile departures in recent transfer windows, with Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze leaving for Bayern Munich and Arsenal respectively. That turnover has put greater focus on retaining other key figures, including Richards, Marc Guehi, and Adam Wharton, all of whom have attracted strong interest from rival clubs.

Richards has quietly become a cornerstone of Oliver Glasner’s defence this season, earning recognition not only for his reliability but also for the balance he brings to the backline.

Former Manchester United and Blackburn scout Mick Brown believes Palace must act decisively to keep him:

“Richards has really established himself under Glasner. He’s consistent, composed, strong both in the air and on the ground — qualities a lot of clubs overlook, but which are vital. It’s clear why Glasner rates him so highly.”

Brown stressed that Palace cannot afford a repeat of situations like Guehi’s, where uncertainty over the defender’s future has left the club vulnerable.

“Palace need to be proactive. These players are ambitious, and Richards in particular has stood out beyond the usual star names. He’s exactly the kind of player who helps you build a team capable of grinding out results and pushing forward.”

With Palace aiming to avoid further key losses, securing Richards on an improved long-term deal would send a strong message of intent about their ambition and stability.