Report: Arsenal set to battle Chelsea in the race for World Cup star | OneFootball

Arsenal Transfer Latest: Maxence Lacroix Interest Grows as Chelsea Push On

Arsenal are emerging as a club to watch in the race for Maxence Lacroix, with the Crystal Palace centre-back now central to a fast-moving Premier League transfer story. According to TeamTalk, Chelsea remain the most advanced suitor, but Arsenal’s need for defensive cover has sharpened significantly following William Saliba’s injury setback.

The situation is straightforward enough. Saliba, a defining figure in Arsenal’s back line, fractured his back at the World Cup and is expected to be sidelined until around the New Year. That leaves a major gap in Mikel Arteta’s defence and breaks up a partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes that has been among the strongest in the division.

Maxence Lacroix price rises amid Chelsea interest

Lacroix’s name has quickly climbed the shortlist. Reports suggest Palace are fully aware of the demand building around the defender, and the valuation is moving accordingly. The fee is now being placed at €65-70million, or roughly £55.3m-£59.5m, after earlier expectations sat lower.

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That line alone tells much of the story. Palace believe they hold a strong negotiating position and are prepared to use wider market activity to their advantage. Sky Sports has also reported that Jan Paul van Hecke’s £52million move from Brighton to Tottenham is being used as a reference point for Palace’s stance on Lacroix.

Arsenal transfer plans shaped by Saliba injury

Arsenal’s involvement is being framed as serious monitoring rather than full engagement, at least for now. The same source added: “Palace are aware of other clubs circling. Arsenal have been monitoring his situation and they’re now stepping up their interest in a new centre-back following William Saliba’s injury. Look out for Liverpool, Manchester United, and Manchester City as well.”

That wider competition matters. Once several elite clubs are mentioned, the pressure increases on both timing and price. Arsenal are not yet believed to have made contact, which leaves Chelsea in a strong position at this stage.

Chelsea hold advantage in Lacroix race

There is another important detail. TeamTalk states Lacroix is keen on a move to Chelsea and has already agreed personal terms with the Stamford Bridge club. Negotiations between Chelsea and Palace are said to be reaching a crucial point, which naturally places Arsenal on the outside looking in unless they move quickly.

Even so, Arsenal’s case is obvious. There is a genuine opening in the side for the first half of the season, and Lacroix offers a profile that appears highly relevant. Significantly, “Lacroix was the man who replaced Saliba for France when he left the World Cup semi-final with injury.” In practical terms, Arsenal would be pursuing a player already viewed as a natural deputy in that specific context.

Our View

From an Arsenal supporter’s perspective, this is one of those reports that immediately makes sense, even if the timing feels slightly uneasy. Saliba being out until the New Year changes the equation completely. You cannot really soften the impact of losing that level of defender, so the club would be right to explore a serious solution rather than a temporary patch.

Lacroix feels like an intriguing option because the logic is easy to follow. He is Premier League proven through Palace, physically equipped for Arsenal’s defensive line, and clearly well regarded if Chelsea are pushing this hard. The detail that he replaced Saliba for France at the World Cup only adds to the appeal. It suggests there is already a recognition of similar qualities at high level.

The concern, naturally, is whether Arsenal have moved too slowly. If personal terms are already agreed with Chelsea, then this may become a case of admiration without action. That said, Arsenal can still offer something compelling, a chance to compete for major honours, a defined short-term opening, and the possibility of forcing his way into the team permanently.

As a fan, the hope would be that Arsenal do not hesitate if they truly believe Lacroix is the answer. The market moves quickly, and central defenders of this calibre are rarely available without a scramble. If the interest is real, this is the moment to turn monitoring into a proper attempt.