Chelsea in talks with Crystal Palace for Lacroix transfer

Chelsea is negotiating with Crystal Palace to acquire defender Maxence Lacroix. Crystal Palace is reportedly asking for more than the £55 million Tottenham spent on Jan Paul van Hecke. Lacroix has made 98 appearances for Palace since joining from Wolfsburg in 2024. Chelsea aims to bolster their defense with a physically imposing center-back, reflecting their ongoing transfer strategy following player departures worth approximately £130 million this summer. Further developments in the negotiations are anticipated.