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Oliver Glasner has suggested new £35million record signing Brennan Johnson could be sold this summer for a "massive fee"
Oliver Glasner is set to "intensify" discussions regarding a fresh Crystal Palace contract this month before reaching a "final decision" on his future. However, the Austrian emphasised that a lengthy deal doesn't guarantee remaining at a club - and he also suggested new £35million record signing Brennan Johnson could be sold this summer for a "massive fee".
Glasner - who guided the Eagles to FA Cup triumph last year - has caught Manchester United's attention, following Ruben Amorim's sacking, as he remains out of contract and available on a free transfer at the end of the season.
The Europa League winner with Eintracht Frankfurt is a proven champion and effective communicator. He also utilises a variant of the 3-4-3 formation employed by Ruben Amorim at the South London outfit, though whether this represents an advantage for the Old Trafford side and their supporters is now questionable. Palace are also without victory in seven matches across all competitions.
Glasner stated before Christmas that Palace's demanding fixture list - featuring eight December matches - left no opportunity for contract negotiations.
However, ahead of Wednesday evening's clash with Aston Villa, the Eagles manager revealed: "I think in the next weeks, we will intensify the talks. With Macclesfield, Friday again, we go up north, and then everyone gets three days off after Macclesfield and then we have to target four regular weeks and in those weeks we will intensify the talks and I expect to find a final decision."
Glasner, who took over from Roy Hodgson in February 2024, currently holds the title of the eighth longest-serving manager in the Premier League. He is not concerned about signing a new contract and being linked with the Manchester United job.
During his press conference on Tuesday, which lasted 51 minutes, the 51 year old stated: "There has been speculation since I arrived. So, believe me, I don't really care about it. I can sign today, or a player can sign a contract extension today and leave in summer. That's why for me, the length of a contract in these times doesn't say anything about your future.
"How long does Brennan's contract last? Four and a half years? So, if you sign a four-year contract, you can't honestly expect that you're always having the same manager, and I think that's why a player never signs just for a manager, he signs for a club, for the vision of a club. It's not Oliver Glasner. Of course, you want to hear from the actual manager but that doesn't mean this lasts forever.
"I talk to Brennan but to be honest, let's talk about just our situation. Brennan signs now, he scores now, 12 goals until summer, a big club comes, pays a massive fee and he leaves. and I sign a new contract and I can't say: 'We talked about it, you know, we've worked together for three years, why don't you stay anymore?'".
Johnson was brought on board for £35m at the beginning of the January transfer window, following Glasner's previous complaints about Palace's slow pace in the transfer market.
The South London team have offloaded Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze in the previous two summer transfer windows, and are poised to lose captain Marc Guehi either this January or at the season's close.
Having secured Palace's first major trophy and guided them into the UEFA Conference League, it's questionable what more Glasner can accomplish at Selhurst Park.
However, the Austrian declared: "Believe me, nothing that happens in the transfer window, nothing, affects my decision, nothing. In both directions."
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