Chelsea hold an interest in Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix.
The Blues are expected to make multiple first-team signings this summer, with at least two expected to walk straight into Xabi Alonso’s starting line-up.
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And Standard Sport understands that France international Lacroix features prominently on Chelsea’s list of centre-back targets this summer.
While the Blues are yet to hold serious talks over any potential move, Lacroix is a genuine option this summer.
Defence is one area where Chelsea will bolster their options, having sold Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid and with centre-back a position identified by the club’s recruitment team as in need of strengthening.
January interest in Jacobo Ramon remains after an impressive season at Serie A side Como, who are monitoring Trevoh Chalobah’s situation.
Chalobah was the Blues’ most consistent central defender last season but Chelsea are open to selling him for the right price this summer.
Interest from Chelsea in Lacroix is little surprise and a move for the Palace defender would instantly raise the centre-back standards at Stamford Bridge.
Palace, though, are under no financial pressure to sell players.
Lacroix was a crucial part of the Eagles’ defence as they won the FA Cup final in the 2024-25 season — the club’s first major piece of silverware.
After the sale of Marc Guehi to Manchester City in January, Lacroix then assumed greater responsibility as the team won the Conference League in their first-ever season in major European competition.
Standard Sport reported on Monday that Chelsea have gone quiet on previous interest in Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall — who wants to leave Spurs — and that no talks between Chelsea and Atalanta have taken place over Marco Palestra, the wing-back who had been linked with the Blues in reports from Italy.
