Crystal Palace are seemingly closing in on their fourth summer signing, with reports suggesting that the Eagles have a verbal agreement to sign Bayern Munich defender Chris Richards.

What's the word?

Patrick Vieira's side were linked with the USA international last week, with Southampton and Leeds United also said to be interested in the 22-year-old.

However, it seems as if the Selhurst Park outfit have won the race to sign Richards this summer, as Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg confirmed on Twitter.

He wrote: "Chris Richards: He has a verbal agreement with Crystal Palace. The Bayern defender wants to join them. Now the clubs has to find an agreement. Negotiations ongoing."

Supporters will be buzzing

After an impressive first season in charge of Palace, Vieira is working quickly to continue his overhaul at the club, having already brought in Sam Johnstone, Malcolm Ebiowei and Cheick Doucoure this summer.

Under Roy Hodgson, Selhurst Park was home to far too many journeymen and players in decline, but they have been transformed into an exciting, youthful side over the past 12 months. In Richards, the Eagles will be getting another promising young defender who has been a regular on loan at Hoffenheim for the last two Bundesliga seasons.

The centre-back made 34 appearances across his two loan spells at the club, contributing one goal and two assists in that time to add to his 10 senior outings for Bayern Munich.

Richards has been tipped for a bright future by USA manager Gregg Berhalter, who spoke highly of the youngster last year, saying: “Chris is one of our central defenders of the future. I like his development very much. I find the cooperation between Bayern and the USSF to be outstanding. Together we’re trying to develop a great player from a great talent.”

While Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen formed a strong partnership at the heart of Palace's defence last season, Vieira will be glad to have another young option at the back, and supporters will surely be delighted to hear that Richards is ready to make the move to Selhurst Park.

AND in other news: Vieira can land his own Cavani as Crystal Palace eye move for £42m "huge talent"