BREAKING: FIFA World Cup star set to have medical today as Chelsea agree £52 million deal

Chelsea have reportedly agreed a deal to sign France’s FIFA World Cup star Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace. The defender will be undergoing his medical today before signing his contract.

According to David Ornstein, Chelsea and Crystal Palace have agreed a £52 million fee for the 26-year-old defender. The UEFA Conference League winners were demanding over £60 million for their star player, but have agreed a lower fee.

Lacroix was keen on a move to Stamford Bridge, despite interest from other clubs. The centre-back is seen as the ideal addition for Xabi Alonso’s squad as the Spaniard makes his mark on the side.

Apart from the Crystal Palace star, Chelsea also had Jacobo Ramon on their radar for the summer. However, they pushed for the Frenchman as he had Premier League experience.

The Frenchman is not set to join the squad at Cobham straight away, as he needs to spend three weeks away from football following the extended season. He was part of the French squad at the FIFA World Cup, as they reached the semifinals.

The move puts the future of Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah and Mamadou Sarr at the club in doubt as the new signing will shoot up the pecking order.

The defender becomes the second signing of the week at Chelsea, following the arrival of Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa. They paid a whopping £117 million for the Englishman, beating Arsenal to the race despite the Gunners pushing for a deal since the start of the summer.

Lacroix will become the third Men’s first-team signing of the summer, following Marco Palestra and Rogers.

Xabi Alonso planning at Chelsea without players at FIFA World Cup

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso admitted that he was planning for the pre-season without the players at the FIFA World Cup. He said that they were aware of the extended season for some players even before arriving at the club.

“It was already in the plan, so it is not a big surprise that at this stage we still have some players. I am happy for them because what they are living is an unforgettable experience.”

“Hopefully at the end we will have a world champion when they come back to Cobham and we will celebrate that, but we adapt, we have to be flexible in that situation and we will have to speed it up in preparation with some players, but it is going to happen.”

Chelsea travel to Australia for their pre-season this weekend.