Chelsea close in on £55m-rated Palace defender Lacroix

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·20 juillet 2026

Chelsea close in on £55m-rated Palace defender Lacroix

Chelsea have held formal talks with Crystal Palace over a move for Maxence Lacroix and are edging closer to a deal.

The Blues have raised their offer to around £52m, with Palace holding out for at least £55m, according to talkSPORT. The two clubs are now roughly £3m apart.

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Palace are determined to drive a hard bargain. Owner Steve Parish is standing firm on his valuation, using Jan Paul van Hecke’s recent £52m move from Brighton to Tottenham as a benchmark. Lacroix’s contract until 2029 strengthens their negotiating hand considerably.

The player himself is pushing for the move. Lacroix is keen to join Xabi Alonso’s side, even though Palace would prefer to keep him. His willingness could prove decisive in getting a deal over the line.

Chelsea close in on £55m-rated Crystal Palace defender Lacroix

Alonso sees him as an ideal fit. The Chelsea head coach wants greater height and physicality at the back, and Lacroix offers recovery pace, aggression and Premier League experience, qualities suited to a high defensive line.

His Palace record explains the interest. Signed from Wolfsburg for £18m in 2024, Lacroix has made 98 appearances, scoring four goals. He has also won the FA Cup, Conference League and Community Shield during a trophy-laden spell at Selhurst Park.

Lacroix spent the summer at the World Cup with France. He came off the bench in the 2-0 semi-final defeat to Spain, and then started as England won a chaotic bronze-medal match 6-4.

The deal would extend a remarkable Chelsea window. Alonso has already added Geovany Quenda, Emmanuel Emegha and Marco Palestra, and is set to sign Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa for a British-record £117m.

Balancing the books remains a factor, though. With spending set to pass £200m, Chelsea must weigh financial rules carefully, having already sold Marc Cucurella, Andrey Santos and Tyrique George this summer.

Arsenal are lurking, too. The Gunners admire Lacroix and could enter the race should William Saliba’s back injury prove serious, though they are yet to make a formal move.