Chelsea are preparing to step up their pursuit of Maxence Lacroix, and Crystal Palace are braced for an offer for the defender. The move puts Palace’s contract plans for the France international under pressure while Chelsea keep pushing through a defence rebuild under Xabi Alonso.
Chelsea and Maxence Lacroix
Maxence Lacroix, a 26-year-old Crystal Palace defender, has three years left on his contract and has become a key Chelsea target. He is away on international duty at the World Cup, which leaves Palace waiting while Chelsea move closer to testing their position.
Chelsea want to add at least one central defender to their squad, and Lacroix sits near the top of that search. The club have already sold Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid for £51.8m this summer and are set to complete the signing of Atalanta defender Marco Palestra for a fee in excess of £43m, so the back line is already being reshaped.
Crystal Palace Contract Plan
Crystal Palace are keen to offer Lacroix a new contract, but Chelsea are preparing an offer for him. That leaves Palace trying to keep a player who has been central to their FA Cup and Europa Conference League triumphs while another club moves in with a formal bid.
The timing matters because Chelsea are not only looking at Lacroix. They are also considering Como centre-back Jacobo Ramon, while Trevoh Chalobah is attracting interest from Como and is open to a move to Italy.
Defensive Rebuild at Chelsea
Chelsea’s defensive rebuild is not limited to one name. They still have doubt over the futures of Wesley Fofana and Tosin Adarabioyo, Malo Gusto is considering his future, and Chelsea have put a £75m price tag on him while Manchester City show interest.
Real Madrid have also made Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez one of their key targets this summer, with Chelsea valuing him at £120m. For now, the cleanest reading is straightforward: Palace want to keep Lacroix, Chelsea want to buy him, and the next move will decide whether the London club’s rebuild starts with a bid or a standoff.
