According to renowned journalist Nizaar Kinsella, Crystal Palace are looking to offer a contract extension with a pay raise to American defender Chris Richards, with negotiations moving along positively.
The discussions for the 26-year-old center-back were initiated back in November last year and have now reached a crucial stage. Richards currently has two options: sign a new deal immediately or postpone further talks until after the World Cup.
Richards joined Crystal Palace from Bayern Munich in 2022 for a fee exceeding £10 million, and he is still playing under his original contract, which is set to expire at the end of next season.
Alongside Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, and Tim Ream, Richards is considered a core member of the United States national team and is expected to play a key role in the upcoming home World Cup.
The defender is happy at Palace and willing to sign a new contract as long as the terms are right. This season, the club has achieved its best-ever performance, and Richards’ importance within the squad has grown significantly.
He helped Crystal Palace reach a European final for the first time in club history, with the team set to face Rayo Vallecano in the UEFA Europa Conference League final on May 27. Richards has been an undisputed starter this season, making 48 appearances and logging over 4,000 minutes on the pitch.