Crystal Palace are aiming to finalise a contract renewal with Daichi Kamada before the campaign ends to stop him departing on a free transfer.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains highly connected within the sport, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Palace are hesitant to let any senior players leave apart from Marc Guehi.
Guehi is expected to exit Selhurst Park for nothing at the end of the season, and the Eagles are now pushing to keep his teammates at the club for the long term.
This follows Football Insider’s report in October that Crystal Palace are keen to prolong Kamada’s deal after his standout season under Oliver Glasner.
The 29-year-old has featured 21 times so far this term, with all but three of those appearances coming from the start, and has cemented his status as a vital member of the squad.
Crystal Palace ‘determined’ to secure Daichi Kamada contract:
Brown told Football Insider in October that Kamada’s future could hinge on Glasner’s, with the manager’s contract also due to lapse at the end of the season.
However, the former scout — who has extensive experience in elite-level recruitment after more than a decade at Man United during their most triumphant era — has now stressed that the Eagles will push to retain the Japan international regardless.
“Kamada has become an important player for Palace,” he told Football Insider.
“He’s slotted into the side brilliantly, especially this season after what was a slow start, and obviously was key in the team that won the FA Cup last year.
“He is another example of what I think is the best thing about Crystal Palace, he works hard for the team, plays his role and there’s no ego or arrogance about him.
“From what I’m told, the management and coaching staff rate him very highly, and that’s always a positive when they have that sort of relationship.
“Palace are determined to recognise what he’s brought to the team, and to keep hold of him because of how impressive he has been.
“They’ll want to have him tied down before the end of the season to put an end to any speculation, so now it’s up to them to see if they can reach an agreement.
“Considering everything that’s happened with Guehi, they don’t want to lose many more first-team players on free transfers, because that could be a problem.
“If they’re losing key players, Palace need to be making money to go out and replace them, or in this case trying their best to keep them at the club.”
Crystal Palace make new contract discussions their priority:
Kamada is not the only key figure out of contract at Selhurst Park in 2026, with Glasner’s deal also expiring at the end of the season.
Football Insider disclosed in September that Palace will do everything possible to retain Glasner at Selhurst Park despite murmurs of tension behind the scenes.
Palace chairman Steve Parish confirmed that early stages of contract negotiations have begun but noted that both parties’ visions must align to strike a deal.
Meanwhile, Jean-Philippe Mateta’s contract talks have stalled due to a dispute over salary, with the Eagles unwilling to meet his hefty demands.
This follows Football Insider’s revelation that Crystal Palace may be compelled to sell Mateta to generate funds from his exit rather than risk losing him for free in 2027.