Chelsea’s £55m chase: Maxence Lacroix becomes the Blues’ top target

Chelsea have entered formal talks this summer to sign Crystal Palace centre‑back Maxence Lacroix for a reported £55m fee, a move that underscores their ambition in the Premier League.

According to Ben Jacobs, the Blues have held formal talks to sign Lacroix this summer. They face competition from Aston Villa, who are also keen on the French defender.

Lacroix has earned rave reviews since joining Crystal Palace in the summer of 2024. He has made 98 appearances across all competitions, scoring four goals and providing four assists.

The centre‑back was part of France’s World Cup squad and featured three times at the tournament. His experience at the World Cup adds international pedigree to his profile.

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Palace signed Lacroix for £18m, but now demand a fee of £55m. The club is using Jan Paul van Hecke’s recent Tottenham move, also for a similar fee, as a benchmark in valuing Lacroix.

Lacroix is contracted with the Eagles until 2029, giving Crystal Palace a strong negotiating position. This long‑term deal limits Chelsea’s leverage in negotiations.

Chelsea are looking to sell Axel Disasi and Trevoh Chalobah before the transfer window closes. Manager Xabi Alonso is keen to add a quality defender, and Lacroix has been identified as an ideal option.

The Blues recently surprised everyone by agreeing a £117m deal with Aston Villa to sign Morgan Rogers. Arsenal had made the England international their top target, but Chelsea moved quickly to finalize the agreement.

If the £55m move materialises, Chelsea would bolster their back line while potentially freeing funds by off‑loading Disasi and Chalobah. Palace would secure a substantial fee that reflects Lacroix’s contract length and recent performances.