Chelsea hold formal talks to sign £55m Premier League star | OneFootball

Chelsea have stepped up their pursuit of Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix. 

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, the Blues have held formal talks to sign Lacroix this summer. They face competition from Aston Villa.

Lacroix has earned rave reviews with his performances in the Premier League since joining Palace in 2024. He has made 98 appearances across all competitions, bagging four goals and four assists. 

Lacroix was part of France’s World Cup squad and featured three times this summer.

The Eagles signed the Frenchman for £18 million, but they want £55m to sanction a sale. 

Jan Paul van Hecke joined Tottenham Hotspur for a similar fee, and they are using that transfer as a benchmark in their valuation of Lacroix. 

With the centre-back under contract until 2029, they are in a strong negotiating position. 

Chelsea are looking to sell Axel Disasi and Trevoh Chalobah before the end of the transfer window. 

Manager Xabi Alonso is keen to add a quality defender, and Lacroix has been identified as an ideal option. 

Chelsea surprised everyone recently by agreeing a stunning £117m deal to sign Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa. 

Arsenal made the England international their top target this summer, but Chelsea moved quickly to wrap up a deal. 

Stats from Transfermarkt.