Chelsea are strongly pursuing a deal for Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix and according to reports, Xabi Alonso’s men have just been handed a golden chance to get the deal done.
One of Alonso’s priorities going into the summer window is a centre-back, despite the Blues boasting a huge 10 options in the middle of the defence. Axel Disasi and Aaron Anselmino will return from loans.
What do you make of Chelsea’s interest in Maxence Lacroix?
Levi Colwill, Jorrel Hato and Josh Acheampong will remain at Stamford Bridge, but doubts remain over the futures of Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana, Mamadou Sarr and Benoit Badiashile.
Despite that, Alonso wants a partner to go alongside Colwill at the back and Lacroix has emerged as Chelsea’s first-choice option. Initial reports said last week that Chelsea were pursuing a £50m transfer.
Trevoh Chalobah hands Chelsea an ideal Lacroix chance
Then, it emerged on Monday that Chelsea had agreed a £46m fee for the France World Cup star. Those reports are yet to be confirmed by sources on this side of the pond, but it is clear Chelsea are closing in.
Now, Chelsea’s hopes of signing Lacroix have been given a further boost. TeamTalk reports that Como are not the only side keen on landing England World Cup star Chalobah in the coming weeks and months.
Cesc Fabregas’ side have made an offer for Chalobah, but it remains below Chelsea’s asking price of around £35m. Fulham and Crystal Palace have also made enquiries for Chalobah and could make a move.
It gives Chelsea an even better chance of tempting Palace into a deal. There are unlikely to be any issues regarding personal terms for Lacroix, but Chelsea will be keen to keep the fee down. Chalobah aids that.
Palace are surely Chalobah’s preferred move between the three
The lure of working under Fabregas at Como, who have qualified for the Champions League, will certainly be tempting for Chalobah. But actually, Palace will also pull on Chalobah’s heartstrings if interested.
Trevoh Chalobah has been getting away it for too long 😑
This is alarming!
Chalobah joined Palace in the summer of 2024 on loan and played 14 times for the Eagles, before he was recalled by Chelsea due to a lack of options in the middle of the Chelsea defence. He has stayed since.
But Chalobah is said to have enjoyed his time at Selhurst Park, and with Palace only going upwards after qualifying for the Europa League following their Conference League win, he could well be tempted.
Certainly, if Chalobah is keen on a move to Palace, then Chelsea have to take advantage and either use Chalobah in a deal to get Lacroix, or do a deal with the Eagles which sees the two swap clubs separately.
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