Arsenal are admirers of Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix | OneFootball

Arsenal are admirers of Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix, according to the Daily Mail.

Manager Mikel Arteta wants to strengthen the Arsenal squad ahead of next season’s Premier League title defence and could bring in a central defender.

The club are already thinking longer term about who will succeed Gabriel Magalhaes. RB Leipzig’s Castello Lukeba is also on their radar.

The 28-year-old Arsenal star has had knee issues in recent seasons, and Lacroix has emerged as a potential transfer target.

The 26-year-old France international is currently at the World Cup, and Chelsea and Real Madrid are also keen after his impressive performances in the Premier League and in Europe.

Lacroix won the Europa Conference League with Palace last season, and the Gunners could look to lure him away this summer.

The Frenchman joined the Selhurst Park club from Wolfsburg for £17.6 million in 2024, signing a five-year deal.

While Palace are in a strong negotiating position, Lacroix is reluctant to commit to new terms and wants to assess what offers arise this summer.

Arsenal could come calling in the coming weeks, and more suitors could emerge if he impresses at the World Cup.

Lacroix and William Saliba could become the Gunners’ centre-back partnership if a deal is done.

However, signing another defender does not appear to be a top priority for the Gunners right now.

Cristhian Mosquera, Ben White, Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori are all options available to Arteta at centre-back, and strengthening in other areas should be prioritised.