Chelsea are currently in discussions with Crystal Palace regarding the potential transfer of defender Maxence Lacroix. The London club is actively pursuing the French international as part of manager Xabi Alonso’s ongoing squad restructuring efforts.
Sources indicate that Crystal Palace is seeking a transfer fee exceeding the £55m that Tottenham paid for Jan Paul van Hecke. Lacroix, who joined Palace from Wolfsburg in 2024, is reportedly keen on the move to Chelsea, viewing it as a significant step in his career following his performances at Selhurst Park.
Negotiations and Player Interest
Chelsea and Crystal Palace reportedly maintain a positive working relationship, having previously completed deals for players such as Trevoh Chalobah and Ben Chilwell. Despite this, Palace has previously rejected offers for Lacroix, though Chelsea is now reportedly nearing Palace’s valuation, which is understood to be around £55 million.
Negotiations between the two clubs are said to be in a crucial stage, with growing confidence that an agreement can be reached. Lacroix is considered a priority target for Chelsea, with personal terms reportedly agreed in principle with his representatives.
Chelsea‘s interest in Lacroix aligns with their objective of signing a physically imposing centre-back with Premier League experience. The club has already generated approximately £130m from player sales during the current transfer window, with additional departures anticipated.
Squad Restructuring and Other Transfers
The potential arrival of Lacroix is expected to accelerate further departures from Chelsea. Players such as Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile, Malo Gusto, and Axel Disasi could move on. Chalobah is reportedly nearing a move to Serie A side Como, while Badiashile, Disasi, and Tosin Adarabioyo are all available if suitable offers are received.
In addition to defensive reinforcements, Chelsea’s recruitment strategy extends to other positions. The club has already secured the signing of Italian full-back Marco Palestra. Following Marc Cucurella’s move to Real Madrid, Chelsea remains focused on bringing in a new left-back.
The club had been in negotiations for Pep Chavarria from Rayo Vallecano but is now preparing to withdraw from those talks due to increased demands from the Spanish club. Chelsea has since made enquiries for alternative targets, including Real Madrid’s Alvaro Carreras and Fenerbahce defender Archie Brown. Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall is also being monitored, although his priority is reportedly a move to Manchester United should he leave St James’ Park this summer.
Meanwhile, Chelsea is also on the verge of completing a significant transfer for Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa. Rogers underwent a medical on Monday morning ahead of a potential £117m move, which would make him the most expensive British player ever, surpassing the £116m paid by Manchester City for Elliot Anderson. This deal would also make Rogers Chelsea’s record signing, exceeding the £115m paid for Moises Caicedo in 2023. Rogers is expected to sign a six-year contract with an option for an additional year until 2033.
Chelsea moved swiftly to secure the deal for Rogers ahead of Arsenal, who were unwilling to match the asking price despite him being a top forward target for them. Rogers returned from the USA on Sunday after England’s third-place finish at the World Cup, following a bronze-final victory over France.
Other incoming transfers for Chelsea this window include Geovany Quenda from Sporting for £43.5m, Marco Palestra from Atalanta for £43m, Denner from Corinthians for £8.7m, and Dastan Satpaev from Kairat Almaty for £2.1m, along with Emmanuel Emegha from Strasbourg for an undisclosed fee.
Player sales include Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid for £51.8m, Andrey Santos to Man Utd for £50m, Tyrique George to Everton for £24m, and Jimmy-Jay Morgan to West Brom for £4m.
With Rogers and Lacroix at the forefront of Chelsea’s transfer activities, Alonso’s squad is quickly taking shape ahead of the new campaign, with further additions anticipated before the transfer window closes.
The discussions for Maxence Lacroix are progressing, with the player reportedly keen on the move.
Read Also
Source: skysports.com
Daniel Fairbrother is the Senior Football Correspondent at Latest News UK, covering the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side with over a decade of reporting experience. He spent eight years on the football desk of a Yorkshire daily before moving into national coverage. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from the University of Sunderland and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Leeds, he watches non-league football and runs a five-a-side league. “The best football stories are won in the week, not on the whistle.”