With the transfer window now in full swing, several Premier League clubs have already been busy in the market so far this summer.
Chelsea have been one of the busiest top flight clubs in England, with the west London outfit having already signed Geovany Quenda and Marco Palestra from Sporting CP and Atalanta respectively.
The Blues then also confirmed the signing of England international Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa, with the fee of £117 million making him the most expensive British footballer in history.
Now, it appears that the London giants are closing in on a fourth summer signing as new manager Xabi Alonso continues to build his squad ahead of the start of the new campaign.
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix is set to undergo a medical ahead of a move to Stamford Bridge.
Lacroix is set to join Chelsea in the coming days (Photo: Sipa/Alamy)
It is claimed that Chelsea have agreed a deal worth around £52 million for the France international, who represented his country at the World Cup in North America this summer.
Lacroix joined the Eagles from Bundesliga side Wolfsburg in 2024 and has since made 98 appearances for the south London side in all competitions, including 70 in the Premier League.
Ornstein claims that the Frenchman is set to undergo a medical before signing a long-term contract with the Blues that will run until the end of the 2031/32 season.
He also suggests that Palace have identified Trabzonspor defender Chibuike Nwaiwu as a potential replacement for Lacroix, who has played an integral role for the Eagles over the past two seasons.
Chelsea’s pursuit of Lacroix comes amid rumours that Trevoh Chalobah will be allowed to leave the club this summer as he has less than two years remaining on his current deal.