Chelsea are closing in on the signing of Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix after reaching an agreement with the Eagles for the France international.
The two clubs have finalised a deal worth around £60 million, with Lacroix now expected to complete a medical before signing a long-term contract that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2032.
Personal terms are not expected to present any obstacles, while negotiations between the London rivals were handled at ownership level.
Chelsea land one of the Premier League's top defenders
Lacroix enjoyed an outstanding campaign under Oliver Glasner, making 55 appearances in all competitions as Palace lifted the UEFA Conference League, the club's first major European trophy.
The 26-year-old also featured in Palace's Community Shield victory over Liverpool and played a key role in another impressive Premier League season.
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His performances earned him a place in France's squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he made three appearances, including starts against Norway and England in the third-place play-off, as Les Bleus finished fourth.
Palace signed Lacroix from Wolfsburg in August 2024 for an initial £15.5 million, with a further £2.6 million in potential add-ons. He has since established himself as one of the division's most reliable central defenders.
Impressive numbers underline Lacroix's quality
Chelsea's interest follows two outstanding seasons from the Frenchman in English football.
During the 2025-26 Premier League campaign, Lacroix was the only player to register at least 50 tackles (60), 200 duels won (204) and 250 clearances (252), highlighting his consistency at both ends of the defensive phase.
Standing 6ft 4in, he combines aerial dominance with remarkable pace. Since arriving from Germany, Lacroix has ranked among the Premier League's five quickest centre-backs, reaching a top speed of 35.81km/h (22.3mph).
His defensive efficiency has been equally impressive. Across the past two league seasons, he recorded the highest success rate in one-on-one defensive situations among players involved in at least 50 such duels, regaining possession in 50.5% of those contests.
Lacroix also offers tactical flexibility, having excelled in both a back three and a traditional back four. That versatility could prove valuable for Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso, who has regularly switched between both systems during his managerial career.
