Crystal Palace close in on Augsburg defender Chrislain Matsima as Lacroix exit nears

Crystal Palace are moving towards an agreement to sign Augsburg centre-back Chrislain Matsima as they prepare for the expected departure of Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea.

The Premier League club have stepped up negotiations with Augsburg in recent days, with talks between the two sides described as increasingly advanced and progressing positively. All parties are understood to be edging closer to a deal for the 24-year-old, who is of Congolese origin.

According to Foot Mercato, Matsima has already reached a broad agreement with Crystal Palace on the main terms of his prospective contract, meaning the final stage of the operation now centres on talks between the clubs.

Manager Pierre Sage has been looking to secure a new defensive leader ahead of Lacroix’s anticipated move to Chelsea, and Matsima has emerged as Palace’s chosen solution to strengthen the heart of their back line.

Monaco set for sell-on windfall

Matsima came through the academy at AS Monaco before leaving Ligue 1 to continue his development in the Bundesliga with Augsburg.

Should the transfer be completed, Monaco stand to benefit financially from a sell-on clause negotiated when Matsima left the Principality club. The agreement entitles Monaco to receive 15% of any capital gain made by Augsburg on the defender’s sale.

Matsima is under contract with the German club until 30 June 2030, giving Augsburg a strong position in negotiations over the fee.

Valuation and next steps

The France youth international is currently valued at €22m by Transfermarkt, a figure that provides a benchmark for discussions but does not necessarily reflect the final transfer price.

With talks continuing on what has so far been a positive trajectory, Crystal Palace are hopeful they can confirm Matsima’s arrival in the near future and deliver the defensive reinforcement requested by Sage.

If the move is finalised, it would mark the latest step in Matsima’s steady rise from Monaco’s academy to a regular role in the Bundesliga, and now potentially to the Premier League with Crystal Palace.