After weeks of negotiations, Chelsea are nearing an agreement to sign Maxence Lacroix.<\/p>\n
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The 26-year-old was one of the Premier League’s best centre-backs last season.<\/p>\n
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His form saw him included in France’s final 26-man squad for this summer’s World Cup. And although Les Bleus crashed out at the semi-final stage, Lacroix played well whenever called upon.<\/p>\n
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And his club career looks set to benefit from his prolonged good form.<\/p>\n
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Chelsea closing in on Maxence Lacroix<\/h2>\n
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Despite Lacroix playing an integral role at Selhurst Park \u2014 even more so following Marc Guehi’s move to Manchester City in January \u2014 and Palace desperate to keep him, he appears determined to take the next step; proven by his decision to opt against entering into talks for a new contract.<\/p>\n
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Because of the Frenchman’s desire to test himself at a bigger club, the Blues have been in talks with the Eagles since the start of the window, and according to TEAMtalk, despite the constant back and forth, the two clubs have finally reached ‘the crucial’ stage of negotiations.<\/p>\n
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The defender has already agreed personal terms with Chelsea now needing to get closer to meeting Palace’s \u00a355 million asking price.<\/p>\n
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It’s expected that an agreement will be reached before the start of the season.<\/p>\n
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Lacroix could take Chelsea’s summer spending to over \u00a3250 million<\/h2>\n
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Xabi Alonso’s first signing was Marco Palestra. The young right-back recently arrived from Atalanta for a fee worth \u00a347 million, but that looks like small change in comparison with what’s coming.<\/p>\n
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It was announced recently that Chelsea have agreed a deal worth an eye-watering \u00a3117 million with Aston Villa for Morgan Rogers.<\/p>\n
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Despite Arsenal being frontrunners to sign the 23-year-old for much of the year, it was the Blues who moved quickest following England’s exit from the World Cup at the semi-final stage last week.<\/p>\n
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The stunning agreement for Rogers, once finalised, and thought to include a six-plus-one year contract, will see the Blues’ summer spend sky rocket, and a deal for Lacroix will see that number increase further.<\/p>\n
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Add Palestra, Rogers, Geovany Quenda \u2014 who stayed at Sporting Lisbon last season \u2014 and potentially Lacroix together, and Chelsea’s summer outlay would soar to a whopping \u00a3259 million.<\/p>\n
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Amazingly, these names probably aren’t going to be the only incomings we see before the close of the window.<\/p>\n
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A striker and goalkeeper are needed with a central midfielder also under consideration.<\/p>\n
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Should the Blues find suitors for Marc Guiu and Liam Delap, fans will expect Alonso to bring in support for Nicolas Jackson.<\/p>\n
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The same can be said for Robert Sanchez.<\/p>\n
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Although Mike Penders is set to be given a chance in the first team, Alonso will need more options if Chelsea grant Filip Jorgensen’s transfer request.<\/p>\n
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There are also reports linking the Blues with a move for Roma’s Manu Kone, although Manchester United are favourites to sign the impressive France international.<\/p>\n
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