Chelsea have agreed a £52m deal with Crystal Palace to sign defender Maxence Lacroix, according to David Ornstein.
The Blues have been keen to bolster their squad this summer for new manager Xabi Alonso, as they prepare for a season with no European football and push to get back to being competitive in all competitions, just two seasons after being crowned Club World Cup champions.
After spending in excess of £50m to sign Marco Palestra, and a record-breaking £117m to sign Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa, the west London club have now agreed a deal for another of their top targets.
Chelsea Agree £52m Lacroix Deal
maxence lacroix
Lacroix, who has been described as 'incredible', had emerged as one of Chelsea's top targets to improve their defence this summer, and a deal has now been agreed.
Chelsea will pay Crystal Palace around £52m, with a deal now being formalised. The 26-year-old is set to sign a contract until 2032, and a medical is scheduled to take place today (Friday July 24) before an announcement follows.
Lacroix made 55 appearances for the Eagles in all competitions last season, and his performances were good enough to earn him recognition with the France national team as he was called up to be part of the squad for the World Cup, where he made three appearances, including two starts.
Palace signed the France star for €21m (£17.9m) two summers ago from Augsburg, so this deal will represent huge profit to them, as they look to rebuild their squad under new manager Pierre Sage, following the most successful period in the club's history where they won the FA Cup, Community Shield, and Conference League within a 12-month spell.
Negotiations for this deal took place at ownership level as Steve Parish pushed for the best value, and Chelsea have now got their man.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Chelsea Get Major Defensive Upgrade
Maxence Lacroix
Chelsea have been keen to make upgrades to their defence this summer for the new manager, and they have now done that in the centre. Levi Colwill will return as a regular, and Lacroix will now likely step in alongside him, moving ahead of Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Mamadou Sarr in the pecking order.
The likeklihood is that at least one of those options will leave, but with Alonso's tactical flexibility and his previous preference for a back-three at former clubs, there is a chance that they can stick around as cover.
Lacroix's experience in both systems will be a huge help to Chelsea, and they have secured a deal for one of the Premier League's top defenders in the prime years of his career.
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