Chelsea don show interest for Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix as dem prepare for big summer transfer window. According to Standard Sport, the Blues dey expect to make multiple first-team signings, with at least two players wey go fit walk straight into Xabi Alonso starting line-up.
Defence na one area wey Chelsea go strengthen, especially after dem sell Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid. The club recruitment team don identify centre-back as position wey need new blood. Lacroix, wey be France international, dey high on Chelsea list of targets, though serious talks never start.
January interest for Jacobo Ramon still dey after im impressive season for Serie A side Como, wey dey also monitor Trevoh Chalobah situation. Chalobah na Chelsea most consistent central defender last season, but the club dey open to sell am for right price.
Interest from Chelsea for Lacroix no be surprise, as a move for the Palace defender go instantly raise centre-back standards for Stamford Bridge. Palace however no dey under financial pressure to sell players. Lacroix na crucial part of the Eagles defence as dem win FA Cup final for 2024-25 season, the club first major silverware.
After Crystal Palace sell Marc Guehi to Manchester City for January, Lacroix assume greater responsibility as the team win Conference League for their first-ever season for major European competition. The Frenchman still get three years left for im contract, so any bid go need to be hefty.
Xabi Alonso go begin im role as Chelsea manager for little over one week, but im already dey work with the club sporting leadership team for transfer window. The Blues never make any signing this summer but dey plan to bring at least two starting-level players.
Lacroix get immense experience for system with three central defenders. During im time for Wolfsburg, im often play as wide defender for the three due to im pace and physical attributes. After sign for Crystal Palace almost two years ago, im play under Oliver Glasner wey love three central defenders. For Selhurst Park, Lacroix almost exclusively dey use as middle centre-back.
Newly-appointed Palace boss Pierre Sage also get experience for three-at-the-back formation, but whether Lacroix go work with am next season no be sure. Meanwhile, Chelsea don quiet for previous interest for Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall, wey wan leave Spurs. No talks don happen between Chelsea and Atalanta for Marco Palestra, the wing-back wey Italian reports link with the Blues.
For Alonso, the quicker dem sort out Enzo Fernandez situation, the better. Real Madrid dey strongly interested for Fernandez, wey wan leave Chelsea. Madrid don dey informed by Chelsea say dem go only sell for right price, but no official approach don happen. Marc Cucurella don join Real Madrid, with the fee wey go help Chelsea for this summer.
