Chelsea close on £52m Maxence Lacroix deal from Crystal Palace

Chelsea are on the verge of signing Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix in a £52m move, according to The Athletic.

The France international, 26, is expected to sign a contract at Stamford Bridge running until the summer of 2032.

Lacroix is due to undergo a medical on Friday as Chelsea move to finalise the transfer for the centre-back, who has been a key figure for Palace over the past two seasons.

The fee, reported by The Athletic, would represent a significant profit for Palace, who signed Lacroix from Wolfsburg in 2024 for €18m.

Key role in Palace’s European breakthrough

Lacroix enjoyed a standout 2025-26 campaign, making 55 appearances in all competitions for Crystal Palace.

He scored three goals and provided three assists during the season, helping Palace secure the first European trophy in the club’s history by winning the UEFA Europa Conference League.

His performances at Selhurst Park earned him a place in France’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, where Les Bleus finished fourth.

Since arriving in England from Wolfsburg in the summer of 2024, Lacroix has played 98 matches for Palace.

Competition for places in Chelsea defence

If the move is completed, Lacroix will join an already crowded pool of central defenders at Chelsea.

He would compete for a place alongside Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah and Mamadou Sarr.

The deal continues Chelsea’s aggressive approach in the transfer market this summer as they reshape the squad ahead of the new season.

Big-money summer under Xabi Alonso

Chelsea have already secured several high-profile signings, committing major funds to reinforce multiple areas of the team.

Morgan Rogers has arrived from Aston Villa in a deal worth €138m, while Marco Ballestra has joined from Atalanta for €57m.

The Blues have also signed Giovanni Chionda from Sporting Lisbon for €50m as part of a wider recruitment drive.

The squad will be led next season by Xabi Alonso, who takes charge at Stamford Bridge in what will be his third managerial post after spells with Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid.

Alonso’s appointment and the scale of Chelsea’s transfer activity underline the club’s intention to rebuild a side capable of competing domestically and in Europe, with Lacroix now set to become the latest addition to that project.