Chelsea set to land £48m Palace defender Lacroix after World Cup

New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso is pushing ahead with his summer rebuild and has reportedly secured a deal for Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix. The 26-year-old, currently representing France at the World Cup, is anticipated to finalise the switch across London once the tournament concludes. The fee is understood to be around £48 million, a figure that represents good value given Lacroix's importance at Selhurst Park.

Alonso has already sanctioned the £51 million arrival of right-back Marco Palestra, and attention has now turned to strengthening the heart of the defence. Trevoh Chalobah is expected to leave with interest from Como, while Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana all face uncertain futures. The Blues are keen to add a commanding presence at the back after a difficult campaign under previous boss Liam Rosenior.

Lacroix has been identified as the top target following two excellent seasons with Palace. The Frenchman joined the Eagles from Wolfsburg for £18 million and was quickly reunited with manager Oliver Glasner. He played a pivotal role in the club's FA Cup and Conference League triumphs, showing both defensive solidity and leadership. Palace are eager to extend his contract and can offer Europa League football next season, while Chelsea are not competing in any European competition.

Lacroix serves as Palace vice-captain and has frequently been praised for his organisational skills at the back. Former Chelsea winger Florent Malouda has suggested that the defender could bring the leadership the Stamford Bridge side currently lack. Malouda noted that Chelsea missed out on Marc Guehi from Palace previously, and that Lacroix could be the ideal signing to provide reliability and authority in defence.

The transfer is expected to be announced after the World Cup, with Lacroix likely to start France's key match against Norway on Friday. Palace remain reluctant to lose a player with three years left on his contract, but the lure of a move to a bigger club and the reported fee may prove too tempting. For Chelsea, securing a proven Premier League performer would be a significant step forward under Alonso's new project.

If completed, the signing would signal Chelsea's intent to build a defence around experience and leadership, qualities that have been missing in recent seasons. Lacroix would join a young squad and provide the composure needed at the top level. The coming weeks will reveal whether the deal is finalised, but all signs point to Lacroix becoming a Blue before the start of the new season.