Xabi Alonso doesn’t officially start work as Chelsea manager until later this summer (Photo: Getty)
Chelsea have secured the signing of a top Premier League defender and will confirm the transfer after the 2026 World Cup, according to reports.
New manager Xabi Alonso is busy rebuilding the Blues after last season unravelled under Liam Rosenior, and has already sanctioned the signing of right-back Marco Palestra for £51million.
His attention now turns to centre-back, with England star Trevoh Chalobah free to leave amid interest from Como, while Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana face an uncertain future.
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The France international is currently at the World Cup and expected to start Friday night’s big match against Norway, taking the place of Arsenal’s William Saliba.
And, according to L’Equipe, once Lacroix is done in North America, he is ‘expected’ to head straight to Stamford Bridge to complete a transfer across London.
Moreover, the transfer fee is said to be around €55m (£48m), which if true would represent a major bargain for Chelsea, given that Lacroix still has three years left on his contract and Palace do not want to sell.
Maxence Lacroix is a vital player for Crystal Palace (Photo: Getty)
The Eagles signed Lacroix from Wolfsburg for £18m, reuniting him with manager Oliver Glasner and he played a crucial role in their FA Cup and Conference League triumphs.
The South London club want to extend the 26-year-old’s contract and can offer him Europa League football next season, while Chelsea are not in any European competition.
Lacroix is Palace vice-captain and his been frequently praised for his leadership at the back, and former Chelsea winger Florent Malouda believes that is exactly what is required at Stamford Bridge.
Lacroix is expected to start France vs Norway on Friday night (Photo: Getty)
Speaking to BOYLE Sports, who offer the latest football odds, Malouda said: ‘Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea? I think a lot of players are linked to Chelsea, even though we already have a big squad.
‘When you mention his name, maybe it’s because we missed the opportunity to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, so maybe we could make it right.
‘Chelsea definitely need options in that area, we need to be defensively more reliable. For him, it will be the natural progression after Crystal Palace, it will be the step that makes the most sense.
‘But again, what is the project and how will the manager be able to convince him and make him a leader? Right now we need leaders, would he be that defensive leader that we expect? We will know soon.’
