Crystal Palace sweat on THREE contract decisions as cut-price Bayern transfer considered

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Crystal Palace are open to strengthening their defence and forward line in next month's January transfer window . The FA Cup winners currently occupy fourth position in the Premier League , have a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash versus Arsenal on the horizon and also have a commendable top-eight Conference League finish within their crosshairs.

However, between Sunday's visit of Manchester City and the FA Cup third-round trip to Macclesfield on January 10, the Eagles play nine times in 27 days, averaging one match every 72 hours.

The gruelling festive schedule is poised to stretch Oliver Glasner's squad to its limits and furthermore, there are a number of lingering contractual issues the club must navigate amid the unforgiving churn.

None more so than Glasner's deal, which expires at the end of the season and while internally, there has been frequent informal dialogue over his future, the Austrian is currently focusing his efforts on preparing his side for matches.

Formal talks over a possible extension are not expected to advance until mid-January, when the fixture pileup will slowly begin to subside. It's also no secret that Palace's winter transfer window is also likely to shape Glasner's stance on signing fresh terms.

He was sold short in the summer market and ideally, would like to bolster his options at both ends of the pitch if the right profiles are attainable. A new right wing-back that can provide both cover and competition for Daniel Munoz has become a necessity following the Colombian's knee injury which requires surgery.

Munoz is expected to miss up to six weeks of action and 34-year-old veteran Nathaniel Clyne's conditioning must be managed attentively.

Bayern Munich's Sacha Boey, who cost the German giants £30million plus bonuses in January 2024, is admired and is thought to be available for around £13m (€15m).

Prior to Munoz's injury, there was concern the 29-year-old would also be open to departing Selhurst Park in January for a new venture should big-name interest materialise. His former side Genk also have a sell-on clause, thought to be worth in the region of 10 per cent.

Naturally, Palace would not entertain a sale given the player's importance and his contract, which runs until 2028, offers them notable protection, too.

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At this moment in time, the club are not anticipating the departure of Marc Guehi until the summer when he would become a free-agent, either.

On the pitch, Steve Parish's last-gasp decision to pull the plug on Guehi's £35million deadline day Liverpool switch, in support of boss Glasner, has undoubtedly been vindicated with results.

However, a series of top European clubs including Bayern Munich , Barcelona , Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are interested and it's not out of the question that fresh offers could land on the table this winter.

Palace are tracking a number of central defenders as part of succession planning. They include Sporting CP's Ousmane Diomande, who is stalling over a new contract in Lisbon, Club Brugge's Joel Ordonez, Strasbourg's versatile starlet Ismael Doukoure and Atalanta's Odilon Kossounou, a target previously championed by Dougie Freedman.

A new centre-back is only likely to become a burning priority if Guehi exits Palace in January which at this stage, doesn't appear to be a formality despite widespread interest from both home and abroad.

In attack, Christantus Uche's Getafe loan is unlikely to be terminated after he netted his first Eagles goal on Thursday night in Dublin. It's understood the move would only become permanent for £17.6m if he starts 10 Premier League matches.

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Spanish sources, however, have speculated the clause would also in fact be triggered if the Nigerian, who is not going to AFCON, makes 20 appearances in all competitions. That remains unconfirmed.

Uche and Romain Esse's eye-catching Shelbourne displays have offered hope that Palace can cope in the absence of AFCON-bound Ismaila Sarr but Glasner would still be open to recruiting another forward if presented with another opportunity.

Brugge's Christos Tzolis was his top summer pick alongside Yeremy Pino but the Belgian outfit rebuffed Palace's £27.7m proposal and made it clear they would not sell the Greek. The Jupiler League side have just sacked boss Nicky Hayen and are struggling both domestically and in the Champions League , so weakening their squad mid-season does not appear to be viable.

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Daichi Kamada's contract is also a pressing issue. Initial talks have been held with his agent Roberto Tukada over fresh terms but it's believed the Japan international is waiting to discover whether Glasner, who he also worked under at Eintracht Frankfurt, will remain at the club before he commits to any decision.

AC Milan are admirers of Jean-Philippe Mateta, who will enter the final 18 months of his current deal in January. There's cautious optimism he could yet extend his stay in Croydon, initial talks have taken place between the parties but according to sources, there's been no progress.

Ex-Wolves sporting director Matt Hobbs will help oversee Palace's January window in conjunction with both Glasner and the board, while it's believed Iain Moody will remain involved on a consultancy basis.

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