Updated 10:28, 24 Jul 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nMaxence Lacroix is set for a medical at Chelsea(Image: Dan Mullan)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/p>\n
Chelsea are in the process of finalising a \u00a352million deal to sign Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix.<\/p>\n
Lacroix, 26, who made three appearances for France at the World Cup, is scheduled to undergo a medical on Friday before signing a six-year deal that will see him contracted to the Blues until 2032, according to The Athletic.<\/p>\n
Should Lacroix sign, as expected, he would become the Blues’ seventh summer signing, after Morgan Rogers, Marco Palestra, Geovany Quenda, Denner, Dastan Satpaev and Emmanuel Emegha arrived through the doors.<\/p>\n
The Frenchman emerged as the Blues’ top centre-back target at the start of the summer transfer window, with three others being considered including Como’s Jacobo Ramon and ex-Manchester City defender John Stones.<\/p>\n
But Chelsea have since pressed ahead with a deal for Lacroix following another impressive season at Palace, where he was an integral part of their Conference League win. In total, he made 55 appearances across all competitions, scoring three goals and registering three assists.<\/p>\n
He started the season alongside Marc Guehi and Chris Richards in a back-three in the Community Shield and ended it next to Chadi Riad and Jaydee Canvot in the Conference League triumph over Rayo Vallecano.<\/p>\n
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\nChelsea are close to signing Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace(Image: Nicol\u00f2 Campo – LightRocket)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/div>\n
Lacroix’s performances earned him a place in the 26-man France squad for the World Cup alongside teammate Jean-Philippe Mateta and former Palace forward Michael Olise.<\/p>\n
Palace signed Lacroix from Wolfsburg for \u00a315m in 2024 and he has made 98 appearances in two seasons for the Eagles, helping them to win three trophies in the process.<\/p>\n
Chelsea have been in the market for a new centre-back since the end of last season with the futures of Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah and Mamadou Sarr being considered.<\/p>\n
The Blues have already sold Andrey Santos to Manchester United, Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid, Tyrique George to Everton for a combined \u00a3112m before Alejandro Garnacho was loaned to Aston Villa on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Garnacho has joined the Villans on a season-long deal with a \u00a342.5m conditional obligation to buy should the certain conditions be met. football.london<\/strong> understands that Garnacho, who was deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge, was personally requested by Aston Villa boss Unai Emery after losing Rogers to Chelsea. Although the conditions for making the deal permanent remain unclear, it’s said they’re easily achievable.<\/p>\nSpeaking to club media, Emery expressed his delight with the move. The Aston Villa boss said: “We are delighted with Alejandro. He is so talented, young, and he showed us his wish to help our project. We are really happy.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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