Southampton’s 2022 Lacroix miss now stings as Palace defender nears big-money move | OneFootball

Southampton’s failure to land Maxence Lacroix in 2022 looks costly, with the Crystal Palace centre-back now set for a big-money Premier League move. He has anchored Palace’s defence over the last two seasons, recording 22 clean sheets.

On deadline day in 2022, Southampton held talks to sign the then Wolfsburg defender, according to Fabrizio Romano, but instead moved for Duje Ćaleta-Car. Defensive business underwhelmed that season, with £8.6m signing Armel Bella-Kotchap keeping only three clean sheets in 24 league matches as relegation loomed in 2022/23.

After a bit-part role for France at the 2026 World Cup, Lacroix is set to sign for Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea for around £52m, with a medical reportedly scheduled. Palace paid £15.5m for him in 2024.

Between 2012 and 2022 the Saints were largely secure in the top flight, a status they hope to regain under Tonda Eckert. The 2022 window, which preceded relegation, is still viewed as a misstep.

Southampton hope to keep Championship standouts Shea Charles and Leo Scienza, with Fulham or Leeds United eyeing the former and Aston Villa monitoring the latter. With Daniel Peretz assured in goal and Taylor Harwood-Bellis commanding, promotion could follow and a 2027/28 reunion with Lacroix may await.

Source: Sainstmarching.com