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Chelsea now need to increase their offer by just \u00a33million to strike a deal with Crystal Palace to add Maxence Lacroix to Xabi Alonso\u2019s squad, according to reports.<\/p>\n
Having appointed Alonso as their manager earlier this summer, Chelsea<\/strong> have been very active in the summer transfer window.<\/p>\n Marco Palestra has joined from Atalanta, while Chelsea have beaten Arsenal to the signing of Morgan Rogers<\/strong> from Aston Villa for \u00a3117million.<\/p>\n Geovany Quenda has also switched from Sporting CP, with the London club\u2019s owners, BlueCo having struck a deal for him back in March 2025.<\/p>\n Chelsea<\/strong> are now looking likely to land Palace<\/strong> and France international centre-back Lacroix in the summer transfer window.<\/p>\n According to journalist Alan Nixon<\/em> on Patreon<\/em>the two London clubs are close to agreeing on a fee for the 26-year-old central defender, who played for France at the 2026 World Cup.<\/p>\n READ: Transfer rumour ranking: Spurs star chooses between two clubs as Chelsea man nears \u20ac32m exit<\/strong><\/p>\n Nixon, who has over 141,000 followers on X<\/em>has reported: \u201cChelsea and Crystal Palace are getting closer to a deal for French centre half Maxence Lacroix.<\/p>\n \u201cThe big spending Stamford Bridge club have edged up to \u00a352 million for Lacroix \u2013 with Palace holding out for more but set to sell.<\/p>\n \u201cBoth clubs are focused on the cash valuation.<\/p>\n \u201cAny possible swaps will be considered later and are being kept out of the Lacroix negotiations.<\/p>\n \u201cLacroix will be seeking answers after the World Cup.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Chelsea\u2019s transfer priority and ideal signing as Xabi Alonso era begins<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cChelsea have to offer him a hefty pay rise to make up for the fact they will not be in Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n Nixon\u2019s update on the situation of Lacroix comes after The Times<\/em> reported that Palace want \u00a355million for the defender.<\/p>\n The publication also claimed that Lacroix \u2018wants to leave Selhurst Park\u2019 this summer.<\/p>\n It seems that Chelsea need to increase their offer by \u00a33m to strike a deal for the Frenchman.<\/p>\n Encouragingly for the London club, Lacroix is willing to switch from Selhurst Park to Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n Last month, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano<\/em> reported that Lacroix wants to join Chelsea<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Romano said on his YouTube channel<\/em>: \u201cAnd then again, guys, let me tell you about Maxence Lacroix because I told you for Chelsea, he\u2019s a target.<\/p>\n \u201cAccording to my information, he is in higher position rather than Jacobo Ramon in the list at Chelsea.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I can also tell you that Maxence Lacroix is eventually keen on a move to Chelsea.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, Lacroix would open doors to this possibility.\u201d<\/p>\n READ NEXT: Chelsea \u2018increases offer\u2019 to \u00a3106m for dream Arsenal target as Alonso \u2018changes the conversation\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/div>\nChelsea and Crystal Palace close to Maxence Lacroix deal<\/strong><\/h2>\n