Chelsea stepped up negotiations for Lacroix

Chelsea continue to actively work on strengthening the center of defense in the summer transfer window. As the broadcaster reports, the London club has accelerated negotiations with Crystal Palace regarding the transfer of central defender Maxance Lacroix. According to the source, the next round of negotiations between the representatives of both clubs took place in a positive way. The owners of Chelsea and Crystal Peles are directly involved in the negotiations. The 26-year-old Frenchman himself, whose contract is for another three years, is interested in a new challenge, although the Eagles tried to offer him a new deal. Crystal Palace are only expected to agree to a sale if an offer of at least £60m is made. At the same time, the club is already looking for a potential replacement for Lacroix, and Augsburg defender Krislein Matsima is named among the candidates. Lacroix moved to Crystal Palace from Wolfsburg in the summer of 2024, going on to make 98 appearances for the London side. The defender also played for France at the 2026 World Cup, and his experience in the Premier League has made him one of Chelsea's top transfer priorities. If Lacroix's move also goes ahead, Trevo Chalobah's future at Stamford Bridge could be in doubt, as Comeau is interested in him. We will remind, earlier it was reported that Arsenal is also against the background of William Salib's injury.