Chelsea are close to signing Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix after both clubs reached an agreement on a deal worth around £52 million.
The French centre-back will complete his medical before he officially joins the Blues at Stamford Bridge.
Lacroix, 26, joined Crystal Palace from German club VfL Wolfsburg in 2024 and quickly became a key player for the Eagles.
His strong performances in the Premier League caught Chelsea’s attention, with the club moving quickly to bring him into their defensive plans.
Chelsea want to improve their defence ahead of the new season, and Lacroix fits their plans. The defender brings pace, strength, aerial ability and valuable top-flight experience.
His speed allows him to recover quickly against fast attackers with this quality making him a strong option for teams that prefer to defend with a high defensive line.
Lacroix played an important role for Crystal Palace during his time at Selhurst Park becoming a trusted figure in the team’s backline and impressing with his consistent performances.
His expected departure will force Palace to search for another defender before the new season begins.
For Chelsea, the move continues their squad rebuild as they aim to add more quality and competition to their defence.
The club believes Lacroix can provide stability, leadership and defensive strength as they chase success in future campaigns.
The medical remains the final step before Chelsea complete the transfer and announce Lacroix as their latest signing.
