Chelsea are set to strengthen their defence after reaching an agreement with Crystal Palace to sign French centre-back Maxence Lacroix in a deal believed to be worth around £60 million.
The two Premier League clubs have finalized the transfer after several days of negotiations, with the move agreed at ownership level. Personal terms are not expected to delay the transfer, and the 26-year-old is due to undergo a medical within the next 24 hours before signing a contract that is expected to keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2032.
Lacroix leaves Palace after two outstanding seasons in south London, where he became one of the club’s key figures under Oliver Glasner. Last season he made 55 appearances in all competitions, helping Palace secure the UEFA Conference League title — the first major European trophy in the club’s history. He also played in the Eagles’ Community Shield victory over Liverpool and was a central figure in another impressive Premier League campaign.
His performances at club level earned him a place in France’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Lacroix featured three times during the tournament, starting against Norway and England in the third-place play-off as France finished fourth.
Crystal Palace signed the defender from Wolfsburg in August 2024 for an initial £15.5 million, with a further £2.6 million available through performance-related add-ons. His value has risen significantly since then after establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s most reliable central defenders.
Chelsea’s interest reflects Lacroix’s exceptional defensive record. During the 2025-26 Premier League season, he was the only player to register at least 60 tackles, 204 duels won and 252 clearances, highlighting both his physical presence and consistency.
Standing 6ft 4in, Lacroix combines aerial dominance with remarkable pace. Since arriving in England, he has ranked among the league’s five fastest central defenders, reaching a top speed of 35.81 km/h (22.3 mph).
His defensive efficiency has been equally impressive. Across the past two Premier League campaigns, Lacroix recorded the highest success rate in one-on-one defensive situations among players involved in at least 50 such duels, winning possession in 50.5% of those contests.
The French international also offers tactical flexibility. Comfortable operating in either a back three or a traditional back four, he spent two seasons in Glasner’s three-centre-back system at Palace while also demonstrating his ability to adapt to a conventional defensive setup.
That versatility is expected to give Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso greater tactical options, with the Spaniard having regularly alternated between both defensive systems throughout his coaching career.