Chelsea are closing in on Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix for about £47.4m, with the France international expected to complete his move after the World Cup. The 26-year-old, who has been central to Palace’s FA Cup and Europa Conference League triumphs, has three years left on his contract and is a key player for the Eagles. Palace are still hoping to offer him a new deal, but it is unclear whether Lacroix is ready to enter talks.
The pursuit of Lacroix is part of a major defensive rebuild under new manager Xabi Alonso, who has already sold Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid for £51.8m and is set to complete the signing of Atalanta’s Marco Palestra for a fee in excess of £43m. The 21-year-old Italy right-back has already undergone a medical in London. With Chelsea targeting at least one new centre-back, another option being considered is Como’s Jacobo Ramon, 21, who remains linked to former club Real Madrid through various clauses. That interest is complicated by Como’s pursuit of Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah, with the England international open to a move to Italy. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have made Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez a key target, valuing him at £120m, and Fernandez is known to be keen on the move.
“Chelsea close in on Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix for £47.4m as part of a defensive rebuild under new manager Xabi Alonso.”
The Blues are also facing uncertainty over the futures of Wesley Fofana and Tosin Adarabioyo, and full-back Malo Gusto is considering his future with a £75m price tag attracting interest from Manchester City. Further sales are likely needed to create space in defence, while an attacker and midfielder could be signed later this summer. Chelsea’s activity is not limited to defence: they have joined Arsenal and Manchester United in the race to sign Sporting’s Uruguay left-back Maxi Araujo, 26.
As Chelsea reshape their squad under Alonso, the question remains whether Lacroix will be the answer to their centre-back needs — or whether Palace can convince him to stay.