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Maxence Lacroix## Morgan Rogers is set to join Chelsea from Aston Villa with another Premier League transfer being targeted by the Blues
22:25, 20 Jul 2026
Chelsea are set to ramp up transfer talks for Maxence Lacroix after sealing the addition of Morgan Rogers. The 23-year-old Aston Villa star passed his medical on Monday after the Blues reached an agreement over a £117million deal, and now Xabi Alonso is targeting another Premier League star.
Signing an experienced centre-back has been a priority since the departure of Thiago Silva, but attacking additions were last summer's focus. That was despite the lack of quality squad depth in defence, which got worse after Levi Colwill suffered a major knee injury.
He returned to action at the end of last season and has been part of pre-season preparations at Cobham, but an arrival in defence remains needed and has arguably become more important following the appointment of Xabi Alonso.
The Spaniard won the Bundesliga title unbeaten at Bayer Leverkusen using a 3-5-2 wing-back formation, which seemingly explains interest in Lacroix.
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The Frenchman has impressed in the middle of a back three for Crystal Palace since joining from Wolfsburg in August 2024. Chelsea have been linked over the last few weeks and now interest from Stamford Bridge has accelerated, according to BBC Sport.
They have also claimed that the latest set of talks were positive with the Eagles wanting at least £60million to sell him, just over triple what they paid two years ago.
Ausburg's Chrislain Matsima was namechecked in their report as a defender already identified as a potential replacement, which suggests that the deal is likely to go through.
It is also understood that Palace have tried to get him to sign a new contract that would extend terms beyond 2029, but he is keen for a new challenge. Lacroix was part of France's World Cup squad, but his two starts came in matches that had minimal impact on the tournament.
He did replace William Saliba in the semi-final defeat to Spain, and while not making any errors, he does appear far better-suited to a back three formation.
Signing Lacroix will likely put Trevoh Chalobah's future in the spotlight with Italian outfits Inter Milan and Como linked. The latter have seen a number of bids turned down as they look to strengthen Cesc Fabregas' squad for a debut campaign in the Champions League.
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Chelsea have already sold Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid and rumours surrounding Enzo Fernandez have ramped up again despite a public statement from Los Blancos claiming they will not be trying to sign him.
The record-breaking Rogers fee also suggests Chelsea may need to look at selling, particularly with no European football to be played at Stamford Bridge.
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Chelsea transfer news
Maxence Lacroix
Morgan Rogers