Chelsea set to complete €55m signing after World Cup

26 Jun 2026 16:05 BST | 4 min read

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

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Chelsea are set to sign Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix for €55 million after his participation at the 2026 World Cup, according to reports in France.

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The 26-year-old has been linked with a Stamford Bridge switch for several months, amid the Blues’ pursuit of a new centre-back, and a move is now beginning to take shape.

Current ETV

Maxence Lacroix

D (C)

C. Palace

Maxence Lacroix

D (C)

C. Palace

ETV Range

€46.4M - €56.8M

Xabi Alonso’s side are desperate to sign an aerially-dominated central defender to partner Levi Colwill next season and after missing out on Jan Paul van Hecke to Tottenham Hotspur, they are pushing to sign Lacroix.

The Palace defender is expected to replace the injured William Saliba in France’s starting XI to face Norway on Friday night and after the World Cup, he is set to join Chelsea for €55m, as per a report from reputable French newspaper L’Equipe.

Lacroix is due to leave Crystal Palace after an impressive two-year stint at Selhurst Park, during which time he helped them lift their first ever major trophy in the form of the 2025 FA Cup, before backing that up with victory in the Europa Conference League last season.

Personal terms aren’t expected to be an issue and Lacroix will likely become the second signing Chelsea have completed since the appointment of Alonso, following Marco Palestra, who will soon join from Atalanta.

© IMAGO - Maxence Lacroix, Crystal Palace

Chelsea’s summer business: Who will join and who will leave?

Chelsea have already pre-agreed deals for Geovany Quenda, Emmanuel Emegha, Dastan Satpaev and Denner to join the club this summer, while the aforementioned Palestra will become their fifth signing of 2026 when his move from Atalanta is formally announced.

If a deal for Lacroix is finalised as expected, the Frenchman will follow suit in moving to Stamford Bridge and his arrival could facilitate several departures.

Chelsea are expected to sell Axel Disasi on a permanent deal this summer, while offers will be considered for Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah and Wesley Fofana. Tosin Adarabioyo could leave too, although he looks more likely to stay as things stand, and Mamadou Sarr may be sent out on loan again.

The Blues also want to freshen up their attack, with one of Liam Delap or Nicolas Jackson expected to be sold permanently and a new versatile forward wanted.

Morgan Rogers is their dream target, but Arsenal are currently the frontrunners to land the Aston Villa star and a deal is likely to be difficult to finalise due to the club’s failure to secure European football last season.

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