Chelsea Close to Signing Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace
Chelsea are closing in on the signing of Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace, with the French defender set to join on a long-term deal after the clubs reached an agreement over a fee.
Palace had been holding out for around £60m for the centre-back, and negotiations between the London rivals were handled directly at ownership level. The breakthrough has now arrived. Personal terms are not expected to pose any problem, clearing the way for Lacroix to undergo a medical in the next 24 hours and sign a contract understood to run until 2032.
From bargain buy to blue-chip asset
The move caps a remarkable rise for a player Palace picked up from Wolfsburg in August 2024 for an initial £15.5m, with a further £2.6m in potential add-ons. In less than two years, Lacroix has gone from a smart Bundesliga import to one of the Premier League’s most reliable central defenders — and a cornerstone of Oliver Glasner’s side.
Last season he barely missed a beat. The 26-year-old was a fixture in Palace’s back line, making 55 appearances in all competitions as the club enjoyed one of the finest campaigns in its history. He anchored a defence that carried Palace all the way to the Uefa Conference League title, the club’s first major European trophy.
He did not stop there. Lacroix also featured in the Community Shield, helping Palace beat Liverpool and add another piece of silverware, while their league form held firm with another strong Premier League campaign. Week after week, he delivered the same blend of composure, timing and athletic recovery that has now persuaded Chelsea to invest heavily.
World stage credentials
Those performances did not go unnoticed in France. Lacroix forced his way into Didier Deschamps’ plans for the 2026 World Cup, earning a place in a France squad stacked with defensive talent. He made three appearances at the tournament, starting against Norway and England in the third-place play-off as Les Bleus finished fourth.
That exposure on the biggest stage only underlined what Palace fans had already seen: a defender comfortable under pressure, quick across the ground and increasingly authoritative in the air.
A statement move in London
For Palace, the deal represents a huge profit on a player they identified early and developed into an elite performer. For Chelsea, it is another major investment in a long-term defensive pillar, secured on a contract stretching to the next decade.
The medical now stands between Lacroix and a move that will reshape both clubs’ plans. Palace must replace the heartbeat of their back line. Chelsea believe they have just found theirs for years to come.
