Crystal Palace set £55m-plus price tag for Lacroix as Chelsea open talks

Crystal Palace have set an asking price of at least £55 million for defender Maxence Lacroix, with Chelsea opening talks over a possible summer move, according to reports.

The 24-year-old French centre-back has been a key figure for Palace since arriving from Wolfsburg in 2023, making over 50 Premier League appearances and establishing himself as one of the division's most promising defenders.

What happened

Sky Sports revealed that Palace are demanding a fee in excess of £55 million for Lacroix, with Chelsea now in initial talks to secure his signature. The Blues are looking to strengthen their defensive options ahead of the new season.

• Chelsea have opened preliminary discussions with Crystal Palace
• Palace insist on a fee of at least £55 million for Lacroix
• The defender has two years remaining on his current contract
• Chelsea are also exploring other defensive targets

Why it matters

Lacroix's potential departure would represent a significant sale for Crystal Palace, who have built their recent success on a solid defensive core. For Chelsea, adding a young, proven Premier League centre-back would address long-standing concerns at the back.

With Palacé unlikely to lower their valuation, Chelsea must decide whether to meet the asking price or turn to alternative targets. The coming weeks will be crucial as both clubs aim to finalise their plans before the transfer window closes.