Crystal Palace open talks for Bundesliga star amid Maxence Lacroix exit talks | OneFootball

Eagles are looking to strengthen their backline

Crystal Palace have opened talks over a deal to sign Augsburg centre-back Chrislain Matsima.

Standard Sport reported last week that Matsima was one of a number of centre-back options being looked at by Palace, and the Eagles have now entered negotiations with Augsburg.

No agreement has been reached yet, and it is unclear whether Palace’s talks with Chelsea defender Axel Disasi would impact any deal for Matsima.

Standard Sport reported on Thursday that Palace were in talks to sign Disasi.

The Blues would prefer a permanent sale and value the Frenchman at £25million plus add-ons, but it is also understood that they would be open to a loan with a conditional obligation such as the one they negotiated in the deal that took Alejandro Garnacho to Aston Villa.

In demand: Chrislain Matsima

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Disasi, who spent the second half of last season on loan at West Ham, has not reported for pre-season training under new boss Xabi Alonso as the club look to sanction his exit this summer.

West Ham are also interested in signing Disasi, but it is believed that the 28-year-old has no desire to play in the Championship.

Palace are in the market for a centre-back as they identify potential replacements for Maxence Lacroix.

Lacroix has been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea, and Standard Sport reported earlier this week that the two clubs were in active negotiations.

Palace are in a strong bargaining position, with three years to run on Lacroix’s contract, but they are also accepting of the fact that the 26-year-old is open to exploring new opportunities.