Chelsea close to agreeing deal with Crystal Palace for Maxence Lacroix

By Robert O'Connor, Press Association

Maxence Lacroix is set to join Chelsea from Crystal Palace with the two clubs close to agreeing a deal, the Press Association understands.

The France international, who won the FA Cup and Conference League with Palace, has been the Blues’ main defensive target this summer and will become their fifth signing of the transfer window.

Chelsea have been looking to add experience to their back line having missed out on Rennes’ Jeremy Jacquet in January, with the player opting to join Liverpool.

Levi Colwill, who is considered to be a key part of the club’s long-term plans, missed almost all of last season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, with Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah forming the central-defensive partnership for much of the campaign.

After a dismal season that saw the club finish 10th, the club’s hierarchy has acknowledged a change in recruitment policy is needed, with a refocusing away from young, inexperienced players towards ones that can help the team compete for the title.

Lacroix, who made 55 appearances last season for Palace, has been one of the league’s most consistent defenders since moving to Selhurst Park from Wolfsburg in 2024.

Chelsea flew out to Australia on Friday morning to begin their pre-season tour though it is likely that, once the deal is finalised, Lacroix will be given a period off having been part of the France squad that reached the semi-finals of the World Cup.

The Blues confirmed the club-record signing of Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers on Tuesday and have also added Atalanta defender Marco Palestra, striker Emmanuel Emegha from Strasbourg and Sporting Lisbon’s Geovany Quenda.

World Cup-winner Marc Cucurella moved to Real Madrid in June while fellow defender Malo Gusto, Lacroix’s international team-mate, could also depart with Manchester City amongst the clubs interested.