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New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso is keen for reinforcements at centre-back (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea and Arsenal are reportedly weighing up moves to sign Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix this summer.
Palace’s £15million deal for Lacroix has proven to be a shrewd piece of business following his arrival from Bundesliga side Wolfsburg two years ago.
Oliver Glasner played a central role in coaxing Lacroix to the Premier League having previously worked with the centre-back at Wolfsburg, and the pair would go on to lift the FA Cup, the Community Shield and the Europa Conference League together with Palace.
However, there is mounting speculation that Lacroix could be set to follow Glasner out the exit door at Selhurst Park, with a host of top clubs keeping tabs on the Frenchman’s situation.
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Lacroix made a total of 55 appearances in all competitions last season and there are growing fears at Palace that last month’s Europa Conference League final could prove to be his farewell match.
According to Daily Mail Online, Chelsea have been closely monitoring Lacroix’s performances and have added the France international to their shortlist of possible targets.
Xabi Alonso is expected to play with a back three in a 3-4-2-1 formation, and Stamford Bridge bosses have been scouring the transfer market for potential reinforcements to strengthen their new manager’s options at centre-back.
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Lacroix has lifted three pieces of silverware with Palace (Picture: Getty)
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The Palace defender is currently away with France at the World Cup (Picture: Getty)
The report claims Lacroix is not yet ready to commit his future to Palace and the former Wolfsburg and Sochaux man is keen to ‘assess what offers arise’ over the coming months.
Premier League champions Arsenal and Real Madrid are also credited with a strong interest and could compete with Chelsea should a bidding war break out for Lacroix this summer.
While Palace’s hierarchy are said to be ‘reluctant’ to part with such an integral member of the squad, a sale cannot be categorically ruled out if a substantial offer comes in from a potential suitor.
Manchester City FC v Crystal Palace FC - Premier League
Lacroix could follow Glasner out of Selhurst Park (Picture: Getty)
Palace – who this week announced Pierre Sage as their new manager – stand to make a tidy profit on Lacroix should they decide to cash in, with club bosses reportedly demanding a fee of £50million for the centre-half.
Lacroix’s current contract with the south London outfit runs through to June 2029.
‘I think everyone is really proud of the journey and what we’ve done,’ Lacroix told Palace’s official website following the club’s Conference League triumph.
‘I don’t want to say, “I said it”, but I trusted it. I trusted that we could win this trophy – and now, in Leipzig, we have the medal.’
On the role Palace fans played in Palace’s victory, Lacroix added: ‘It’s like you fight with 12 people, even 13.
‘They push, they push, they push, and we’re never alone.
‘Like I said, it’s an unbelievable crowd. Now we’re in the Europa League, but first it’s time to enjoy it.’
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