Maxence Lacroix, a Crystal Palace defender, is expected to join Chelsea on a long-term contract after the clubs reached an agreement to sign him.
On Tuesday, both clubs had held constructive negotiations about signing the France international, with Palace wanting around £60 million for the centre-back.
The two teams have finally struck an agreement, and personal terms are unlikely to be an issue.
Lacroix is anticipated to undergo a medical in the next 24 hours before signing a long-term contract that will last until 2032.
The deal between the two London clubs was reached at the ownership level.
The 26-year-old was a regular under Oliver Glasner last season, appearing in 55 games across all competitions as Palace won the UEFA Conference League, the club’s first major European championship.
He also appeared in Palace’s Community Shield victory over Liverpool, helping the Eagles to another successful Premier League season.
Lacroix’s performances earned him a spot on France’s 2026 World Cup team. He appeared three times at the tournament, including starts against Norway and England in the third-place playoff, as Les Bleus finished fourth.
Lacroix joined Palace from Bundesliga club Wolfsburg in August 2024 for an initial sum of £15.5 million, with an additional £2.6 million in future add-ons.
He went on to establish himself as one of the Premier League’s most reliable central defenders.
Why Chelsea are signing Lacroix
Chelsea has targeted Lacroix following two successful seasons in English football.
During the 2025-26 Premier League season, he was the only player to make at least 50 tackles (60), 200 duels won (204) and 250 clearances (252).
Lacroix, who stands 6 feet 4 inches tall, combines aerial strength with a great recovery pace. Since joining from Wolfsburg in 2024, he has been one of the five fastest centre-backs in the Premier League, with a maximum speed of 35.81km/h (22.3mph).
That athleticism is apparent in his defensive statistics. Over the last two Premier League seasons, Lacroix has the best success rate in one-on-one defensive scenarios among players who have faced at least 50 such duels, winning possession 50.5% of the time.
Lacroix is also tactically adaptable. He spent two seasons with Crystal Palace playing in Oliver Glasner’s three-man defence, although he is also capable of operating in a more conventional back four.
That versatility gives Chelsea more alternatives, since head coach Xabi Alonso has employed both systems in his coaching career.
