Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix set for Chelsea move

By Bilal Ahmed — 24 July 2026 — 3 min read

Chelsea and Crystal Palace have reached an agreement for the transfer of defender Maxence Lacroix. The France international is expected to undergo a medical examination today before signing a long-term contract with Chelsea, which is understood to extend until 2032.

The deal between the two London clubs was negotiated at the ownership level. Palace had reportedly sought around £60m for the centre-back, with one report indicating the deal is being finalised in the region of £52million. Personal terms are not believed to be an issue for Lacroix.

Lacroix’s Impact at Crystal Palace

Lacroix, 26, was a regular player under former manager Oliver Glasner last season. He made 55 appearances across all competitions as Palace secured their first major European trophy, the Uefa Conference League. He also participated in Palace’s Community Shield victory over Liverpool and contributed to the team’s strong performance in the Premier League.

His performances led to his inclusion in France’s 2026 World Cup squad, where he made three appearances, including starts against Norway and England in the third-place play-off as Les Bleus finished fourth. During the 2025-26 Premier League campaign, Lacroix was the only player to achieve at least 50 tackles (60), 200 duels won (204), and 250 clearances (252).

Palace acquired Lacroix from Bundesliga side Wolfsburg in August 2024 for an initial fee of £15.5m, with an additional £2.6m in potential add-ons. He has since established himself as a consistent central defender in the Premier League, making 98 appearances over two seasons in south London.

Chelsea’s Defensive Strategy

Chelsea targeted Lacroix following his two impressive seasons in English football. Standing at 6ft 4in, Lacroix combines aerial strength with notable recovery pace. Since his arrival from Wolfsburg in 2024, he has been among the five fastest centre-backs in the Premier League, recording a top speed of 35.81km/h (22.3mph).

His athleticism is reflected in his defensive statistics. Over the past two Premier League seasons, Lacroix achieved the best success rate in one-on-one defensive situations among players who faced at least 50 such duels, winning possession 50.5% of the time. He is also tactically versatile, comfortable in both a back four and a back three, having played two seasons in Oliver Glasner’s three-man defence at Crystal Palace.

This adaptability offers additional options for Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso, who has utilised both systems in his coaching career. Chelsea has been looking to strengthen their centre-back options this summer, with the arrival of a new defender potentially impacting the futures of other players at the club.

Palace Considers Replacements

Crystal Palace is actively assessing potential replacements for Lacroix, despite having three years remaining on his contract. Among the candidates identified, Axel Disasi is reportedly in active negotiations with Palace. Disasi spent the latter half of last season on loan at West Ham and has not reported for pre-season training under new Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso as the club seeks a move for the 28-year-old.

West Ham is also reportedly interested in Disasi. Palace is embarking on a new era under manager Pierre Sage, who succeeded Oliver Glasner after the Austrian’s contract expired in June.

Other potential replacement options for Palace include Augsburg’s Chrislain Matsima and Trabzonspor’s Chibuike Nwaiwu. Chelsea also holds an interest in Como centre-back Jacobo Ramon, who had a successful first season in Serie A under former Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

Source: bbc.com