Chelsea is in advanced negotiations to sign Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix, with the deal reportedly valued between £52 million and £55 million. Personal terms between the player and Chelsea have already been agreed, and the transfer appears to be moving quickly toward completion.
Chelsea’s total spending this transfer period could exceed £250 million.
The deal and the numbers
Lacroix, a 26-year-old French international, joined Crystal Palace from Wolfsburg in August 2024 for £18 million. If Chelsea completes this move at the reported price range, Palace would pocket roughly triple what they paid just two years ago.
The fee aligns with the current market for top-tier centre-backs. Jan Paul van Hecke recently moved in a deal worth £52 million, establishing a comparable benchmark.
