Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Maxence Lacroix
Friday
Chelsea are close to completing a £52m deal for Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix. The French defender is expected to undergo a medical before signing a six-year contract at Stamford Bridge.
Xabi Alonso wants defensive reinforcements as Chelsea reshape their back line and prepare to move several centre-backs out. Palace are already looking at replacements, with Augsburg’s Chrislain Matsima among their targets.