Crystal Palace open contract talks with seven stars ahead of summer

Crystal Palace have opened talks with seven players out of contract this summer, including captain Joel Ward.

Will Hughes has already extended his stay, signing a new one-year deal last week and Eagles’ sporting director Dougie Freedman — wanted by Newcastle — has opened conversations this week with others set to become free agents in July.

As well as Ward, the futures of Nathaniel Clyne, James Tomkins, Jairo Riedewald, Nathan Ferguson and Remi Matthews are all uncertain.

Palace are expected to trigger the one-year additional clause in Jeffrey Schlupp’s contract, due to expire this summer.

Oliver Glasner rewarded his Palace players with extra days off this week after picking up 10 points from a possible 12 in their last four games.

A return to full training at the beginning of the week for Marc Guehi means he will be available for Monday night’s meeting with Manchester United. The defender’s return after almost three months out with a knee injury is a boost to his hopes of making England’s Euro 2024 squad.

A number of major Premier League clubs continue to track Guehi, and he could leave Palace this summer for a new challenge.

So could Michael Olise, who is enjoying his best campaign in a Palace shirt and is one of the key figures Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Manchester United are considering moving for ahead of next season.

But there could be plenty of incomings at Palace too, with Glasner encouraged by recent performances and results but still of the opinion that positions such as centre-back must be strengthened. The Eagles are also hoping to address the left wing-back position, where there is no understudy to Tyrick Mitchell.