Premier League giants Chelsea are reportedly advancing in their move to sign Crystal Palace defender and France international Maxence Lacroix.
Sky Sports and BBC report Chelsea are in talks to prise Lacroix from UEFA Conference League winners and fellow Premier League outfit Palace.
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BBC adds that Chelsea have “accelerated” their interest in the Frenchman, who featured at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
Palace are reportedly seeking a deal worth a minimum £60m$ (115million AUD) for the 26-year-old.
Chelsea hold new talks with Crystal Palace over proposed move for Maxence Lacroix. Deal being handled at ownership level. Palace want minimum £60m for France international. https://t.co/XFwVrOtjj5 — Sami Mokbel (@SamiMokbel_BBC) July 20, 2026
Lacroix has made 98 appearances for Palace since joining from German club Wolfsburg in a deal worth up to $34.5million AUD in August 2024.
It comes as Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea are close to completing the signing of Aston Villa and Chelsea star Morgan Rogers.
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The Athletic previously reported Chelsea reached an agreement to sign Rogers in a deal worth £117million ($225million AUD).
Chelsea’s fee to prise Rogers from Villa is set to smash the British transfer record of £116million, which Manchester City recently agreed for Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Elliot Anderson.
Premier League champions Arsenal had long been linked with Rogers, but London rivals Chelsea have seemingly hijacked the Gunners’ move for the 23-year-old attacking midfielder.
Rogers is set to become Chelsea’s fourth new signing heading into 2026-27, after Geovany Quenda, Marco Palestra and Emmanuel Emegha while Marc Cucerella, Andrey Santos and Tyrique George have departed.
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