Chelsea are closing in on a £52m move for Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix as part of a major defensive overhaul at Stamford Bridge, with several existing defenders expected to leave this summer.
The 26-year-old France defender has scheduled a medical with Chelsea today ahead of completing the transfer from Palace, according to The Sun, after the clubs agreed a fee that meets the Eagles’ minimum valuation.
Lacroix, one of the standout defensive performers in English football in recent seasons, had been high on Chelsea’s list of priorities for the current transfer window as new head coach Xabi Alonso looks to reinforce the back line with proven quality and experience.
Chelsea win race for defender also tracked by Arsenal
Arsenal had previously explored a move for Lacroix before the start of the World Cup, enquiring about his availability as they assessed options to cover for William Saliba, who faces a lengthy spell out with injury.
However, while Arsenal showed firm interest, they did not submit a formal bid, allowing Chelsea to move into pole position and accelerate negotiations in recent days.
Crystal Palace had initially been seeking around £60m for the defender but were determined not to drop below £52m – a figure now matched by Chelsea and identical to the sum Tottenham paid Brighton earlier in the summer to sign defender Jan Paul van Hecke.
Proven Premier League performer
One of the key reasons behind Chelsea’s push for Lacroix is his established record in the Premier League. The club view him as a player able to slot straight into the starting XI and contribute immediately, rather than requiring time to adapt to English football.
During his time at Crystal Palace, Lacroix won three major honours: the FA Cup, the UEFA Europa Conference League and the FA Community Shield. Those successes have helped cement his reputation as one of the most reliable and accomplished defenders currently playing in England.
Alonso is understood to be keen on adding leaders with top-level pedigree to his squad, and Lacroix’s combination of domestic and European experience is regarded at Stamford Bridge as a significant asset for a team aiming to re-establish itself among the Premier League’s leading contenders next season.
Stones also on Chelsea radar
In a separate move, Chelsea have also shown interest in signing England defender John Stones, who is now a free agent. The club see the former Manchester City centre-back as another potential source of leadership and experience in a defence set for substantial change.
Bringing in Stones would further reinforce Alonso’s desire to blend established figures with emerging talent as part of a broader rebuild of the squad.
Outgoings expected as part of defensive reset
The push to sign Lacroix and target Stones comes amid growing expectation that several defenders will depart Chelsea during the current window, The Sun reports.
Academy graduate Trevoh Chalobah has received offers from Italian side Como, coached by former Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas. The 25-year-old, who has struggled for regular game time at Stamford Bridge, could be allowed to leave in search of a more prominent role.
Axel Disasi, who spent the second half of last season on loan at West Ham United, is also attracting interest from across Europe. AC Milan are among the clubs monitoring the France international, whose market value is estimated at around £25m.
Taken together, the pursuit of Lacroix and Stones and the anticipated departures of Chalobah, Disasi and other defenders underline Chelsea’s determination to reshape their back line decisively this summer.
The restructuring is viewed as central to Alonso’s long-term project to assemble a squad capable of competing strongly on all fronts in the coming campaign, with defensive stability seen as a key foundation for any sustained success.
