{"id":21364,"date":"2026-07-25T18:24:36","date_gmt":"2026-07-25T18:24:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=21364"},"modified":"2026-07-25T18:24:36","modified_gmt":"2026-07-25T18:24:36","slug":"60m-deal-agreed-medical-next","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=21364","title":{"rendered":"\u00a360m deal agreed, medical next"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"content-main\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!--post-header--><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"post-excerpt left\"><\/p>\n<p>Crystal Palace and Chelsea have struck an agreement for defender Maxence Lacroix, medical to follow.<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"post-feat-img\" class=\"left relative\" itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-115.webp\" class=\"attachment- size- wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-115.webp 1200w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-115-600x338.webp 600w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-115-768x432.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<meta itemprop=\"url\" content=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-115.webp\"\/><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<meta itemprop=\"width\" content=\"1200\"\/><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<meta itemprop=\"height\" content=\"675\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p><!--post-feat-img--><\/p>\n<section class=\"social-sharing-top\">\n<p><span class=\"fb-but1\"><i class=\"fa-brands fa-facebook-f\"\/><\/span><span class=\"social-text\">Share<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" onclick=\"window.open('http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea: \u00a360m deal agreed, medical next -&amp;url=https:\/\/sixsports.in\/maxence-lacroix-to-chelsea-60m-deal-agreed-medical-next\/', 'twitterShare', 'width=626,height=436'); return false;\" title=\"Share This Post\"><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"twitter-but1\"><i class=\"fa-brands fa-x-twitter\"\/><\/span><span class=\"social-text\">Share<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"whatsapp-but1\"><i class=\"fa fa-whatsapp fa-2\"\/><\/span><span class=\"social-text\">Share<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"pinterest-but1\"><i class=\"fa-brands fa-pinterest-p\"\/><\/span><span class=\"social-text\">Share<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"email-but\"><i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-2\"\/><\/span><span class=\"social-text\">Email<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p><!--social-sharing-top--><\/p>\n<div class=\"sx-entity-card\">\n<div class=\"sx-entity-top\">\n<div class=\"sx-entity-logo\">\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"350\" height=\"350\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"CHELSEA\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chelsea_fc_logo-1.avif\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"350\" height=\"350\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chelsea_fc_logo-1.avif\" alt=\"CHELSEA\"\/>\n            <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"sx-entity-description\">\n<p>            Full name: Chelsea Football Club Nickname: The Blues Founded: 10 March 1905 Ground: Stamford Bridge Owner: BlueCo Chairman: Todd Boehly Manager: Xabi Alonso League: Premier League Season 2025-26: 10th position Website: chelseafc.com Chelsea Football Club is one of the most\u2026            <a class=\"sx-entity-readmore\" href=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/team\/chelsea\/\"><br \/>\n                Read More about CHELSEA\n        <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chelsea have reportedly agreed a deal worth around \u00a360m to sign Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix. A medical is set to follow shortly. As per the latest transfer news, Chelsea are closing in on another defensive addition, though personal terms are not expected to be an issue.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-maxence-lacroix-set-for-medical-after-chelsea-agree-60m-fee\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Maxence Lacroix Set for Medical After Chelsea Agree \u00a360m Fee<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>As reported by<\/strong> BBC Sport, personal terms are not expected to be a hurdle. His medical for the <strong>Blues<\/strong> is expected within the next 24 hours. Once that is done, Maxence Lacroix can put pen to paper on fresh terms. The deal is reportedly set to keep him at the club right through to 2032.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Club officials on both sides have handled these talks directly. <strong>As reported by<\/strong> Sky Sports, the final fee could settle nearer \u00a351m once the deal includes add-ons.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>As reported by<\/strong> Sports Illustrated, if the move goes through, it will be Chelsea\u2019s seventh signing this summer. The club has already brought in players like Morgan Rogers and Marco Palestra. It shows how busy Xabi Alonso\u2019s rebuild at Stamford Bridge has been.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-why-palace-s-defender-has-shone-in-the-premier-league\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Palace\u2019s Defender Has Shone in the Premier League<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hard numbers, not just reputation, have built the Frenchman\u2019s rise. No other player combined at least 50 tackles, 200 duels won and 250 clearances across the 2025-26 Premier League campaign, <strong>as reported by<\/strong> BBC Sport. Those stats show how much Oliver Glasner relied on him at the back.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Maxence Lacroix for Crystal Palace in 2025\/26<\/strong>as per FOTMOB:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\">\n<table class=\"has-fixed-layout\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Competitions<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Matches<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Goals<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Assists<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Tackles<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Duels Won<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Clearances<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Premier League<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>35<\/td>\n<td>1<\/td>\n<td>2<\/td>\n<td>60<\/td>\n<td>204<\/td>\n<td>252<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>EFL Cup<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>3<\/td>\n<td>0<\/td>\n<td>0<\/td>\n<td>3<\/td>\n<td>12<\/td>\n<td>34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Conference League<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>16<\/td>\n<td>2<\/td>\n<td>1<\/td>\n<td>20<\/td>\n<td>65<\/td>\n<td>61<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maxence Lacroix was also key to Palace\u2019s Uefa Conference League win. It was the south London club\u2019s first major European trophy. He also played a part in their Community Shield win over Liverpool. In addition, he showed strong <strong>football<\/strong> at the 2026 World Cup with France.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The defender stands at 6ft 4in and offers a rare mix of physical presence and pace. Few centre-backs in the <strong>Premier League<\/strong> can match his recovery speed. In fact, only four defenders has registered faster top speeds since he arrived from Wolfsburg in 2024, <strong>as reported by<\/strong> BBC Sport. Over the past two seasons, nobody with at least 50 one-on-one contests won the ball back more often. He did so roughly half the time.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" alt=\"Chelsea\" class=\"wp-image-197341\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-43.webp 1200w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-43-600x338.webp 600w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-43-768x432.webp 768w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-43.webp\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-43.webp\" alt=\"Chelsea\" class=\"wp-image-197341\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-43.webp 1200w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-43-600x338.webp 600w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-43-768x432.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"h-maxence-lacroix-offers-chelsea-tactical-flexibility\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Maxence Lacroix Offers Chelsea Tactical Flexibility<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beyond the numbers, Maxence Lacroix brings something else Xabi Alonso will value: flexibility. Glasner used him in a back three for two seasons at Palace, and he adjusted to it well. A straightforward back four has never troubled him either, and that tactical comfort could matter at Chelsea.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That gives the west London club extra options going forward. Alonso himself has used both defensive setups during his coaching career. Chelsea looked open at times last season. So a defender who reads the game this well should ease some of those old worries.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>As reported by<\/strong> Sky Sports, the Blues have also given Palace the chance to take one of their own defenders in return. Meanwhile, <strong>as reported by<\/strong> Sports Illustrated, Palace still stand to make a tidy profit on a player they signed for around \u00a318m from Wolfsburg back in 2024. That is even after this latest \u00a360m fee. For the Blues, though, the bigger picture is straightforward. After two excellent seasons of English football, Maxence Lacroix now looks ready for a bigger stage. Supporters will hope his composure at the back carries over from Selhurst Park to Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Read More:<\/strong> <strong><em>Xabi Alonso wants Chelsea to sign Real Madrid duo<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Also Read:<\/strong> <strong><em>Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea gets major \u00a355m update<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Read Next:<\/strong> <strong><em>Archie Brown: Chelsea, Man Utd learn Fenerbahce stance<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"after-article-links\" style=\"margin-top:20px; font-size:14px;\">Follow the latest updates from <strong>Premier League<\/strong>, <strong>The League<\/strong> and<br \/>\n        <strong>Champions League<\/strong>or explore more<br \/>\n        <strong>Football<\/strong> stories, <strong>Football Teams<\/strong> &#038; <strong>All Football Competitions<\/strong> . Follow more updates on CHELSEA and CRYSTAL PALACE. You can also check <strong>Latest Sports News<\/strong> or visit <strong>Six Sports<\/strong> for more Football updates.<\/div>\n<div class=\"fe-author-box\">\n<div class=\"fe-author-avatar\">\n        <img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ffe9f843f387ba0534380c0ff06ab28dd5e7f2371bbe3d356d549067f6389aaa?s=200&amp;d=mm&amp;r=g 2x\" class=\"avatar avatar-100 photo\" height=\"100\" width=\"100\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ffe9f843f387ba0534380c0ff06ab28dd5e7f2371bbe3d356d549067f6389aaa?s=100&amp;d=mm&amp;r=g\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ffe9f843f387ba0534380c0ff06ab28dd5e7f2371bbe3d356d549067f6389aaa?s=100&amp;d=mm&amp;r=g\" srcset=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ffe9f843f387ba0534380c0ff06ab28dd5e7f2371bbe3d356d549067f6389aaa?s=200&amp;d=mm&amp;r=g 2x\" class=\"avatar avatar-100 photo\" height=\"100\" width=\"100\" decoding=\"async\"\/>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mvp-org-wrap\" itemprop=\"publisher\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Organization\">\n<div class=\"mvp-org-logo\" itemprop=\"logo\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"690\" height=\"145\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Six-Sports.png\" src-webp=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Six-Sports.png.webp\" class=\"ewww_webp_lazy_load\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"690\" height=\"145\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Six-Sports.png\"\/><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<meta itemprop=\"url\" content=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Six-Sports.png\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p><!--mvp-org-logo--><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<meta itemprop=\"name\" content=\"Six Sports\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p><!--mvp-org-wrap--><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!--posts-nav-link--><\/p>\n<div class=\"mentioned-article-block\">\n<h3 class=\"mentioned-title\">Mentioned in this Article<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!--comments-button--><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!--comments-->\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Crystal Palace and Chelsea have struck an agreement for defender Maxence Lacroix, medical to follow&#8230;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3009,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21364","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21364","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=21364"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21364\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3009"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=21364"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=21364"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=21364"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}