Chelsea are closing in on one of the most significant defensive signings of the summer transfer window. Maxence Lacroix is set to join Chelsea from Crystal Palace, with the two clubs close to agreeing a deal. The 26-year-old defender has given permission to finalise the transfer for a fee in the region of £51m. The move will see Lacroix sign a deal with the Blues until 2032.
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Who is Maxence Lacroix?
Maxence Guy Lacroix was born on 6 April 2000 in Villeneuve-Saint-Georges, France. He stands at 1.90m and plays as a centre-back.
Lacroix began his career at Sochaux, where he made his senior debut in 2018, with his professional debut coming in a 1–0 Ligue 2 win over FC Lorient on 22 December 2018.
On 25 August 2020, Lacroix joined VfL Wolfsburg on a four-year deal. He played the most amount of matches of his career at Wolfsburg, making 111 appearances in Germany.
Crystal Palace then signed Lacroix from Wolfsburg in a deal worth up to £18m. At Selhurst Park, Lacroix helped Crystal Palace win the FA Cup, Community Shield, and UEFA Conference League.
Transfer at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Player | Maxence Lacroix |
| From | Crystal Palace |
| To | Chelsea |
| Transfer Fee | ~£52m |
| Contract Length | Until 2032 |
| Age | 26 |
| Nationality | France |
| Position | Centre-Back |
| Height | 1.90m (6ft 3in) |
| Shirt Number (Palace) | 5 |
Career Timeline
| Club | Years | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Sochaux | 2018–2020 | Senior debut — Dec 2018 |
| VfL Wolfsburg | 2020–2024 | 111 Bundesliga appearances |
| Crystal Palace | 2024–2026 | FA Cup, Conference League, Community Shield |
| Chelsea | 2026–2032 | Incoming |
Why Chelsea Want Lacroix
Chelsea want to sign a centre-back and ideally any new arrival would be physically imposing and bring Premier League experience.
Levi Colwill, who is considered to be a key part of the club’s long-term plans, missed almost all of last season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, with Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah forming the central defensive partnership for much of the campaign.
Lacroix’s pace, composure on the ball, and ability to defend one-on-one situations have made him one of the most sought-after centre-backs in England.
Chelsea have not paid a transfer fee for a player aged 26 or over since the summer of 2022 with the ill-fated acquisitions of Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly. But Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix is a player worth relaxing the policy for — far from a veteran, Lacroix is entering his prime after two strong seasons with Palace.
Lacroix has added another trophy to his collection by winning the UEFA Conference League, and has also demonstrated leadership credentials. His presence at the World Cup further underlines his rise.
Lacroix’s 2025/26 Season Stats (Crystal Palace)
| Stat | Figure |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 35 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Clean Sheets | 11 |
| Tackles per 90 mins | 1.75 |
| Interceptions per 90 mins | 1.37 |
| Clearances per 90 mins | 7.26 |
| Yellow Cards | 5 |
| Red Cards | 1 |
The Deal & Negotiations
The France international has been the Blues’ main defensive target this summer and will become their fifth signing of the transfer window.
Sky Sports News understands Palace were seeking more than the £55m Tottenham paid for Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton to sanction Lacroix’s sale. However, Chelsea and Palace ultimately agreed on a fee in the region of £52m. Sky Sports News also understands Chelsea have given Palace the chance to discuss signing one of their defenders available for transfer during talks, with interest from other clubs in Axel Disasi, Trevoh Chalobah, and Benoit Badiashile.
Palace and Chelsea have a good relationship and have done deals for players such as Chalobah and Ben Chilwell in the past.
Chelsea’s Summer Business So Far
| Player | Direction | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Morgan Rogers | IN (Aston Villa) | £117m |
| Maxence Lacroix | IN (Crystal Palace) | ~£52m |
| Axel Disasi | OUT (Potential) | TBC |
| Trevoh Chalobah | OUT (Potential) | TBC |
| Benoit Badiashile | OUT (Potential) | TBC |
Chelsea’s Defensive Picture
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Levi Colwill | Returning from ACL injury |
| Wesley Fofana | Key player — 2025/26 starter |
| Trevoh Chalobah | Potential departure |
| Benoit Badiashile | Potential departure |
| Maxence Lacroix | Incoming — ~£52m |
Read More: Official: Al Hilal Sign Crysencio Summerville from West Ham United in £60m Deal
Also Read: Spain Won the World Cup the Only Way They Know How
FAQs
How much are Chelsea paying for Maxence Lacroix?
Chelsea are finalising a deal worth approximately £52m for the Crystal Palace centre-back, making him one of Chelsea’s major defensive investments of the summer.
How long is Lacroix’s contract at Chelsea?
Lacroix is set to sign a deal with Chelsea that runs until 2032.
What trophies did Lacroix win at Crystal Palace?
During his two seasons at Selhurst Park, Lacroix won the FA Cup, the Community Shield, and the UEFA Conference League with Crystal Palace.
Why did Lacroix leave Crystal Palace?
Chelsea’s pursuit was relentless and their offer met Palace’s valuation. Lacroix’s ambition to compete at the highest level in European football, combined with Chelsea’s project under Xabi Alonso, made the move a compelling one for the France international.
Which manager will Lacroix play under at Chelsea?
Lacroix will play under Xabi Alonso, who is looking to strengthen Chelsea’s defensive options ahead of the 2026–27 season.
