Liverpool eyeing move to sign Marc Guehi’s teammate – Report | OneFootball

Liverpool Eye Maxence Lacroix as Centre-Back Priority

Liverpool’s search for defensive reinforcements is already shaping up ahead of the 2026 summer transfer window. After the collapse of a deal for Marc Guehi earlier this year, Arne Slot and his recruitment team are determined not to be left scrambling again. According to a report from Football Insider, Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix has become a serious candidate, described by Liverpool scouts as “a Rolls Royce defender”.

Lacroix’s Impact at Selhurst Park

Since his £18 million move from Wolfsburg, Lacroix has slotted seamlessly into the Premier League. He has become the cornerstone of a Palace side that remain unbeaten in the domestic campaign, with just three goals conceded. Scouts at Anfield have noted his command at the back, his anticipation in ground duels and his ability to intercept danger early.

One Liverpool recruitment figure reportedly said, “Lacroix has been right up there with Van Dijk this season, his consistency is remarkable.” It is no surprise that his name is now being pushed to the top of Liverpool’s shortlist.

Comparison With Van Dijk

What makes the Frenchman particularly appealing to Liverpool is how well his statistical profile aligns with Virgil van Dijk. Winning nine tackles and an equal number of interceptions, Lacroix’s numbers echo the Dutchman’s reliability. While Guehi’s name has been in the headlines, Lacroix’s quieter excellence may be the more attainable and strategic move.

Photo: IMAGO

As Football Insider highlights, his long-term deal at Palace runs until 2029, but Liverpool see his “relative under-the-radar status” as an advantage in negotiations. There is even quiet belief that Lacroix could break into Didier Deschamps’ France squad before the 2026 World Cup, a reflection of how highly he is rated inside the game.

Liverpool’s Defensive Future

Slot’s side may have won the Premier League title in his debut season, yet there is acknowledgement that depth at centre-back remains fragile. Ibrahima Konaté’s fitness concerns, Joe Gomez’s versatility often pulling him wide, and Van Dijk’s advancing years all point to a need for reinforcement.

Lacroix, still only 25, offers a blend of physicality and composure that could anchor Liverpool’s back line for years. If Liverpool act decisively, they may secure not just Guehi’s alternative, but arguably a defender of equal or greater potential.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

For Liverpool supporters, this report will feel like a glimpse into the club’s forward planning. Fans have been crying out for a proactive approach in the transfer market, particularly at centre-back where the squad has felt stretched. The idea of partnering Van Dijk with a player scouts are calling “a Rolls Royce” is bound to excite the fanbase.

The deal for Guehi falling through was frustrating, but perhaps it was also a blessing. Lacroix seems to offer a similar profile while bringing slightly different strengths. His recovery pace, his aerial timing, and the fact he has settled quickly in the Premier League should not be overlooked. Palace being unbeaten this season and conceding only three goals tells its own story, and Liverpool will have noticed.

From a supporter’s perspective, this feels like the type of signing that underlines ambition. If the club are serious about remaining at the top of English football, pairing Van Dijk with someone who could eventually succeed him makes complete sense. There will always be transfer market complications, especially with Palace in such strong form, but fans will be hopeful the club can get this deal over the line.

For many, it is less about who arrives and more about Liverpool maintaining the defensive standards that brought them last season’s title. With Konaté’s injuries and Gomez moving across positions, Lacroix could be the missing piece that keeps Slot’s Liverpool defensively secure well into the future.