Chelsea are showing serious interest in Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix, but a move will not come cheap this summer transfer window.
According to Football Insider, Palace are expected to demand at least £50m for the 26-year-old French defender before any deal can be reached.
The report claims Lacroix has emerged as a top target for Chelsea, who are actively looking to strengthen their defensive options ahead of the new campaign.
talkSPORT has also reported that Chelsea are preparing a formal bid for the Palace centre-back, with interest from the Stamford Bridge club continuing to grow.
There is currently no confirmed agreement between the two London clubs, but the situation is developing quickly as the summer window progresses.
Chelsea have no shortage of centre-backs on their books, yet questions remain over consistency, injuries and the long-term balance of their defensive squad.
Lacroix would offer something genuinely different to what Chelsea currently possess, combining pace, physical strength and comfort defending in a high defensive line.
Having already proven himself in the Premier League since joining Palace from Wolfsburg in 2024, he represents a lower-risk option than signing an unproven defender from abroad.
His continued rise into the France international setup has only further increased his appeal to clubs of Chelsea’s stature looking for elite defensive talent.
Crystal Palace are in no rush to sell and hold a strong negotiating position, with Oliver Glasner having drawn excellent performances from the defender throughout their time together.
Palace have made clear they will not entertain any offer they consider below their valuation, meaning Chelsea must commit to the full asking price if they want to secure a deal.
At £50m, the move would represent a significant outlay, and Chelsea should only proceed if Lacroix is genuinely their first-choice defensive target heading into this window.
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