The January transfer window of 2026 has officially swung open, and for Crystal Palace, it's a period of high-stakes uncertainty. A significant chunk of their first-team squad, including some of their most influential figures, are now legally free to negotiate pre-contract agreements with any interested club across Europe. Their current deals at Selhurst Park are set to expire in just six months, meaning the Eagles risk losing them for absolutely nothing come the summer. This isn't just about squad depth; it's about the potential dismantling of the team's core identity unless swift and decisive action is taken.

Let's break down the five players staring down the exit and what their futures might hold.

🦅 The 2026 Free Agent List

Here are the players whose contracts are ticking down:

Player	Position	Age (2026)	Key Detail
Marc Guehi	Centre-Back	25	England international, high demand
Daichi Kamada	Attacking Midfielder	29	High earner, Glasner connection
Jefferson Lerma	Defensive Midfielder	31	Club holds a 1-year extension option
Naouirou Ahamada	Central Midfielder	24	Fringe player, likely departure
Nathaniel Clyne	Right-Back	34	Veteran presence

🔴 The Big One: Marc Guehi

Let's be real, everyone saw this coming. Marc Guehi's departure feels like an inevitability that's been delayed, not cancelled. The England international defender is, without a doubt, the crown jewel of this expiring-contracts list. His performances have consistently attracted interest from the Premier League's elite. Remember the summer of 2025? GIVEMESPORT sources confirmed he was agonizingly close to a move to Liverpool, only for deadline day drama to scupper the deal. Now, with his contract winding down, the power is entirely in Guehi's hands. He can officially talk to any club he wants.

The prevailing sentiment in the football world is that he already has a gentleman's agreement in place to finally make that switch to Anfield on a free transfer this summer. For Palace, this represents a massive financial blow—losing a player of his calibre for zero transfer fee is a nightmare scenario. His exit isn't just about losing a defender; it's about losing a leader and a symbol of the club's recent development.

🇯🇵 The Glasner Factor: Daichi Kamada

Kamada's situation is a fascinating subplot tangled up in managerial politics. Oliver Glasner specifically brought the Japanese playmaker to Selhurst Park, reuniting with a player he knew and trusted from their time together in Germany. That relationship is now the central pillar of Kamada's future. The key issue? Glasner's own contract is also up in a few months! 🫣

Reports from The Athletic suggest it's now on Palace to convince Kamada to sign, and much of that persuasion likely hinges on securing Glasner's future first. On a hefty £105,000-a-week, Kamada is a significant investment. If the manager leaves, it's hard to see the player staying, especially with other clubs undoubtedly ready to offer him a new project. This is a domino that needs to fall quickly for Palace.

🇨🇴 The Decision Pending: Jefferson Lerma

Lerma's case is different because Palace hold all the cards—they have an option to extend his contract by an additional year, and the Colombian has no say in that decision. The 31-year-old midfield enforcer has still been a useful asset this season, featuring in 16 Premier League games. While he's not always a guaranteed starter, his experience and tenacity are valuable, especially in a squad facing potential upheaval.

The calculus for the Palace board is straightforward: does keeping a 32-year-old Lerma on the books for one more year provide more stability and depth than letting him walk for free? Given the other potential exits, triggering that one-year extension might be a smart, low-cost move to maintain some squad continuity.

⏳ The Likely Departures: Ahamada & Clyne

For Naouirou Ahamada, the writing seems to be on the wall. Still only 24, the French midfielder has struggled to break into the first team under Glasner. Recent comments from the manager himself hinted that Ahamada needs to find a club where he can play regular senior football, rather than being stuck with the U21s. A January exit for a small fee seems more likely than seeing out his contract, purely for the benefit of his own career.

Nathaniel Clyne, the veteran right-back, has provided reliable cover but at 34, his time as a regular starter is likely over. His departure would be expected and would free up wages for a potential renewal or new signing in that position.

🤔 What Does This Mean for Palace?

This isn't just a routine contract cycle; it's a potential mass exodus. Losing Guehi would be a seismic blow to their defensive structure. Losing Kamada would rob them of creative flair. The club's hierarchy faces a critical few months. They must:

1. Clarify the manager's future to influence player decisions like Kamada's.

2. Make a final, likely futile, push to convince Guehi to stay (or at least secure a fee in January).

3. Decisively activate or decline the option on Lerma.

4. Plan for a major summer rebuild, with significant funds needed for replacements—especially if key players leave for free.

The 2026 summer transfer window could define Crystal Palace's trajectory for years to come. Will they be picked apart, or can they convince their core to build something under Glasner? The negotiations happening right now will tell the story. For Eagles fans, it's time to buckle up for a rollercoaster few months. 😬⚽