Chelsea close on £52m Lacroix deal after beating Arsenal to Crystal Palace defender

Chelsea are closing in on the £52m signing of Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix as part of a major overhaul of their defence, with several Stamford Bridge defenders expected to depart this summer.

The 26-year-old France international has scheduled a medical with Chelsea today ahead of a move worth £52m, according to British newspaper The Sun. The deal would see Lacroix become one of the headline signings of the club’s defensive rebuild under new head coach Xabi Alonso.

Lacroix, who has emerged as one of Chelsea’s priority targets in the current transfer window, is being brought in to strengthen the back line with a player regarded as having both quality and experience at the highest level.

Xabi Alonso is understood to have specifically identified the need for proven Premier League defenders, and Lacroix’s track record in English football has been a key factor in Chelsea accelerating negotiations, with the club viewing him as ready to contribute from the first day of the new season.

Arsenal interest came to nothing

Arsenal had previously explored the possibility of signing Lacroix before the start of the World Cup, The Sun reports. The Gunners’ enquiry came as they sought defensive cover following the injury to France defender William Saliba, which is expected to sideline him for an extended period.

However, while Arsenal registered their interest, they did not follow up with a formal offer to Crystal Palace, leaving the way clear for Chelsea to move ahead in the race for his signature.

Crystal Palace initially valued Lacroix at £60m but were determined not to accept less than £52m. That figure matches the fee Tottenham paid Brighton earlier in the summer to sign defender Jan Paul van Hecke.

Trophy success at Crystal Palace

During his time at Selhurst Park, Lacroix has collected three major honours: the FA Cup, the UEFA Europa Conference League and the Community Shield. That run of silverware has helped establish him as one of the standout defenders in English football in recent seasons.

His performances in those campaigns, particularly in domestic cup and European competition, contributed to raising his profile among leading Premier League clubs and have underpinned Chelsea’s decision to invest heavily in his signing.

Stones also on Chelsea radar

Lacroix is not the only defender on Chelsea’s shortlist. The club are also interested in signing England centre-back John Stones, who is currently a free agent.

Alonso is keen to add experienced leaders to his dressing room, and Stones fits the profile of a player with significant top-level and international experience who could provide guidance within a reshaped defensive unit.

Defensive departures expected

As new signings are pursued, several current Chelsea defenders appear likely to leave Stamford Bridge during the current transfer window, The Sun adds.

Academy graduate Trevoh Chalobah has attracted interest from Italian side Como, who are managed by former Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas. A move to Serie A would end Chalobah’s long association with his boyhood club.

Axel Disasi, who spent the second half of last season on loan at West Ham United, is also drawing attention from across Europe. Milan are believed to be at the front of the queue for the defender, whose market value is estimated at around £25m.

These incoming and outgoing moves underline the scale of the defensive rebuild under way at Chelsea as Alonso attempts to reshape his back line. The club’s transfer activity reflects a clear strategy to blend new arrivals with experience, while moving on several existing defenders, as part of a wider project to assemble a side capable of competing strongly next season.