Crystal Palace Brace for Lacroix Exit with Young French Defender and Augsburg Star in Sight

Crystal Palace have stepped up their search for a new centre-back as the departure of defensive mainstay Maxence Lacroix edges closer. The Frenchman is heavily tipped to join Chelsea, leaving the Eagles scrambling for cover at the heart of the backline. The club's priority target is 19-year-old Raphael Le Guen of Brest. The teenager made his first-team breakthrough in the 2025/26 season, racking up six Ligue 1 appearances - four of them starts in the final stretch, including high-stakes clashes with Paris Saint-Germain and Strasbourg. Palace scouts have been impressed by his composure and believe he is ready for the Premier League leap. Palace have already proven they can successfully integrate young French talent. Last summer they signed 19-year-old Jaydee Canvot from Toulouse, and he quickly established himself as a reliable replacement after Marc Guehi's departure. The hierarchy hope to repeat that formula with Le Guen. Beyond the Brest youngster, Palace are also weighing a move for 24-year-old Chrislain Matsima of Augsburg. A former France youth international, Matsima is open to joining Palace, with the presence of new head coach Pierre Sage - a fellow Frenchman who took over at the start of the summer - acting as a significant pull factor.