Crystal Palace assess transfer priorities after Maxence Lacroix sale | OneFootball

With over three weeks until kick-off, Crystal Palace have added one signing and lost a starter. A Europa League campaign looms, so reinforcements are needed.

According to NY Times, Maxence Lacroix has joined Chelsea for about £52 million, a profit on the €18 million plus €3 million paid to Wolfsburg two years ago. Oscar Mingueza arrives on a free to compete with and cover Daniel Munoz at right wing-back.

Pre-season has been uneven and largely unrepresentative without most of their 12 World Cup players, yet anxiety persists among supporters.

Palace are looking to recruit two centre-backs, prioritising a senior starter to replace Lacroix. Talks with Augsburg over Chrislain Matsima have stalled over fee and costs, and the 24-year-old has returned to pre-season with the Bundesliga club.

They also want a younger, cheaper defender, with 19-year-old Raphael Le Guen among the options, though a deal is not guaranteed. The aim is to land both for below the Lacroix fee, with Jefferson Lerma and possibly Mingueza covering centrally in an emergency.

Palace want a forward who can operate as a No 10 to provide a fourth option. They passed on Evann Guessand after his Aston Villa loan, and Christantus Uche left after a Getafe loan, so a vacancy remains for a busy schedule.

Nketiah has covered there but has not convinced over the past two seasons. With Brennan Johnson yet to fire and Matheus Franca and Romain Esse unproven, Palace know they should add, though missing a No 10 would not be disastrous.

Source: NY Times