Chelsea have reached a deal to bring French defender Maxence Lacroix to Stamford Bridge from Crystal Palace. The 26-year-old is expected to complete a medical examination this Friday before officially finalizing his move.
Journalist David Ornstein confirmed that the two clubs settled on a transfer fee of £52 million. While Crystal Palace originally aimed for a figure exceeding £60 million, they eventually agreed to the lower sum. Lacroix preferred a move to Chelsea over other interested parties, viewing the transfer as a key step in his career under manager Xabi Alonso.
Although Chelsea scouts evaluated Jacobo Ramon, they shifted focus to Lacroix specifically for his established Premier League experience. The defender will begin his tenure with a three-week rest period following his participation in the recent international tournament with the French national team. His arrival creates increased competition for roster spots alongside current defenders like Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Benoit Badiashile.
This signing marks Chelsea’s third addition to the men’s first team this summer, following the arrivals of Marco Palestra and Morgan Rogers. The club recently invested £117 million to secure Rogers from Aston Villa. Manager Xabi Alonso remains focused on his pre-season preparations, acknowledging that international players will require staggered return dates after their recent tournament commitments.
