Chelsea and Arsenal are reportedly weighing up moves to sign Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix this summer. The French centre-back has been a standout performer since his £15million move from Wolfsburg two years ago.
Palace's Shrewd Investment
Palace's deal for Lacroix has proven to be a shrewd piece of business. Manager Oliver Glasner, who previously worked with Lacroix at Wolfsburg, played a central role in bringing him to the Premier League. Together, they won the FA Cup, the Community Shield, and the Europa Conference League.
However, speculation is mounting that Lacroix could follow Glasner out the exit door at Selhurst Park, with several top clubs monitoring his situation.
Interest from Top Clubs
According to reports, Chelsea have been closely monitoring Lacroix's performances and have added him to their shortlist of possible targets. New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso is expected to play with a back three, and the club is scouring the market for reinforcements at centre-back.
Lacroix is not yet ready to commit his future to Palace and is keen to assess what offers arise over the coming months. Premier League champions Arsenal and Real Madrid are also credited with a strong interest and could compete with Chelsea should a bidding war break out.
Palace's Stance
While Palace's hierarchy is reluctant to part with such an integral member of the squad, a sale cannot be ruled out if a substantial offer comes in. Palace stand to make a tidy profit, reportedly demanding a fee of £50million for the centre-half. Lacroix's current contract runs through to June 2029.
Lacroix Reflects on Success
Following Palace's Europa Conference League triumph, Lacroix said: 'I think everyone is really proud of the journey and what we've done. I trusted that we could win this trophy – and now, in Leipzig, we have the medal.'
He added: 'The fans push, they push, they push, and we're never alone. It's an unbelievable crowd. Now we're in the Europa League, but first it's time to enjoy it.'
