Crystal Palace have signed Chris Richards from Bayern Munich, who could make his debut on the opening day of the new Premier League season at home to Arsenal come August 5.
The Eagles host the Gunners at Selhurst Park next Friday to raise the curtain for the term. Patrick Vieira will hope to get the season off to a winning start against his former team, as Crystal Palace start their second season under the Arsenal icon who led a 12th place finish.
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Club chiefs have backed Vieira in the off-season market to build a side they hope can break into the top-half. Richards is Crystal Palace’s fourth signing of the summer after signing for an initial £8.5m, plus up to £2.5m in add-ons, from Bayern Munich on a five-year contract.
Crystal Palace sign Richards from Bayern Munich as fourth summer deal
Richards’ arrival in south London followed Vieira’s £21m deal for RC Lens midfielder Cheick Doucoure, worth an initial £18m. Crystal Palace have also acquired Sam Johnstone of West Brom in a Bosman deal, along with Malcolm Ebiowei from Derby County for compensation.
Vieira remains in the market for further reinforcements ahead of hosting Arsenal on Friday week. Crystal Palace have an interest in Morgan Gibbs-White, per talkSPORT. But they face a rival pursuit by Nottingham Forest, who the Mirror note he is open to leaving Wolves for.
Yet while Vieira faces difficulties in his efforts to sign of another midfielder after Doucoure, he and Richards could be two of four signings who Crystal Palace start on the opening day.
Sam Johnstone (GK): Crystal Palace sign new goalkeeper from West Brom
Johnstone has joined Crystal Palace in a Bosman deal after allowing his contract with West Brom to lapse. The goalkeeper had spent the last four years at The Hawthorns after a £5m move from Manchester United, making 167 appearances for 45 clean sheets with the club.
Nathaniel Clyne (RB): Defender signs new contract to stay at Selhurst Park
Crystal Palace have given Nathaniel Clyne a new one-year contract after his previous terms were set to lapse in June. The 31-year-old should now expect to start the season as Vieira’s first-choice at right-back after starting the Eagles’ final 15 Premier League games last term.
Chris Richards (CB): Crystal Palace sign new defender from Bayern Munich
Richards has signed for Crystal Palace after struggling to break into the Bayern Munich side with just 10 first-team games. The 22-year-old, who joined FCB from FC Dallas in 2019, also spent the past 18 months on loan to Hoffenheim, amassing 33 appearances from 28 starts.
Marc Guehi (CB): Vieira to survive Tottenham interest in Eagles enforcer
So far surviving interest from Tottenham Hotspur in Marc Guehi, as cited by the Daily Mail, will have delighted Vieira. The defender broke into the England set-up last season with his displays for Crystal Palace, and he will look to maintain that momentum for the World Cup.
Tyrick Mitchell (LB): Defender to now build on YPOTY nominee campaign
Tyrick Mitchell will now strive to build on his strong 2021/22 season that saw the Premier League nominate the full-back for their Young Player of the Year award, which Phil Foden of Manchester City won. The 22-year-old dynamo also made his England debut this March.
Will Hughes (CM): Vieira to back 2021 arrival as midfield search stumbles
Vieira will likely back Will Hughes to start the new Premier League season as his search for another midfielder stumbles. The Eagles boss is still keen on Gibbs-White, but talks to sign Flynn Downes off Swansea City fell short, as he has completed a £12m move to West Ham.
Cheick Doucoure (CM): Crystal Palace sign new midfielder from RC Lens
Crystal Palace have signed Doucoure from Lens to bolster their engine room after the 22-year-old delivered a strong Ligue 1 campaign. The eight-cap Mali international enjoyed 34 appearances, plus one goal and four assists, as the Stade Bollaert-Delelis holding anchor.
Eberechi Eze (CM): Vieira to unleash England U21 gem after tough 21/22
Eberechi Eze will hope to see Vieira unleash his potential much more often this term after a tough 2021/22 campaign. The England U21 gem only started six of his 13 Premier League outings for one goal and one assist, after missing almost six months with an Achilles injury.
Hirving Lozano (RW): Crystal Palace are interested in signing Napoli star
Crystal Palace remain interested in further strengthening Vieira’s side ahead Arsenal’s trip to Selhurst Park on the opening day. One option under consideration is Hirving Lozano, as Area Napoli report the Eagles have approached Napoli to discuss the €30m (£25m) winger.
West Ham are also interested in Lozano after the 26-year-old hit six goals and six assists in 37 games last season. But no Premier League side is currently prepared to pay in excess of €20m (£16.5m) to sign the 56-cap Mexico international, under contract in Naples to 2024.
Jean-Philippe Mateta (ST): Frenchman to build on 21/22 form
Jean-Philippe Mateta will hope he can build on his solid 2021/22 after edging competition from Christian Benteke and Odsonne Edouard to emerge as Vieira’s favoured striker. The 25-year-old offered five goals across his 22 appearances, starting 13, along with one assist.
Wilfried Zaha (LW): Vieira to rebuff Roma advances for Ivory Coast star
Vieira is seemingly set to rebuff interest from Roma and retain Wilfried Zaha ahead of the new Premier League season. Sky Italy report Jose Mourinho is keen to take the Ivory Coast star to Serie A. But the Giallorossi must clear space in their squad before he could transfer.
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