Aston Villa are eyeing a move to sign Crystal Palace star Maxence Lacroix this summer to strengthen their defence, according to TEAMtalk.
The Villans are pushing for a return to the Champions League next season and currently sit fourth in the Premier League, six points above sixth-placed Chelsea with just seven games remaining in the campaign.
Unai Emery is planning to bolster the squad to ensure that they can cope with the demands of playing at the highest level and remain competitive on all levels, and that has seen a top defensive prospect emerge as a target for the summer window.
Aston Villa Eyeing Lacroix Move
maxence lacroix
Lacroix, who has been clocked as one of the fastest centre-backs in Europe, has emerged as a key player for Crystal Palace in recent months, and even more so since the turn of the year when captain Marc Guehi departed to join Man City.
His performances this season have seen him earn plenty of recognition too, and the 25-year-old earned his first cap for the France senior national team during the 2-1 win over Brazil last week, putting him right in the mix for a potential World Cup spot in Didier Deschamps' squad.
With a host of changes expected at Selhurst Park this summer, Lacroix is someone who is being closely looked at by a number of top clubs across Europe, including Villa, who could look to strengthen at centre-back with question marks over Tyrone Mings and Victor Lindelof's long-term futures.
Lacroix is under contract in south London until 2029, and it's reported that there is no release clause, giving Palace greater control over his future. While they will be pushing hard to keep him, he is understood to be very ambitious, and it could lead to a significant battle for his services if clubs firm up their interest.
Lacroix Would Be Perfect Partner for Konsa
Aston Villa's Ezri KonsaPhoto courtesy of Reuters.
Since arriving from Brentford in 2019, Konsa has emerged as one of the top defenders in the Premier League and is now considered a starter for England too, cementing his importance at Villa and under Emery.
Pau Torres has been his main partner, but he may not be the perfect partner, and Lacroix could come in and immediately strengthen the squad this summer, with Champions League football likely to be a big factor for him to consider.
GIVEMESPORT asked ChatGPT to compare Torres and Lacroix as potential options for Villa, and this was its response:
Pau Torres
Elite ball-playing LCB; suits Villa’s build-up style
Strong positioning/reading of game
Lacks pace/1v1 dominance; can be exposed in transitions
Maxence Lacroix
Quick, aggressive, elite in duels (87% vs dribblers)
Physical, aerially strong, Premier League-proven
Less progressive on ball; weaker in possession build-up
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