Chelsea reach agreement for Maxence Lacroix as France star heads for medical at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea reach agreement for Maxence Lacroix as France star heads for medical at Stamford BridgeLacroix has been granted permission to undergo a medical at Chelsea after the two teams agreed a fee.

>The fee involved is undisclosed, though Crystal Palace were seeking around £55m for the France international.

>Lacroix has impressed since signing for Palace from Wolfsburg in an £18m deal in 2024. The 26-year-old helped the club to FA Cup success in his debut season and has also lifted the Community Shield and Europa Conference League at Selhurst Park, the first major trophies in the club's history.

>Lacroix also helped France to theWorld Cup semi-finals this summer and has won seven senior caps since his international debut earlier this year.

>According toSky Sports, Chelsea offered Palace the chance to take Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile or former loanee Trevoh Chalobah as part of the package.

>Palace are instead focused on alternatives as the Eagles look to combat the loss of another key defensive figure in successive windows. The South Londoners sold Marc Guehi to Manchester City in January, and are now set to lose Lacroix to Chelsea.

>Pierre Sage's side are pursuing a deal to sign Chrislain Matsima from Augsburg but have been unable to find a breakthrough in negotiations.

>Lyon defender Ruben Kluivert, the brother of Bournemouth midfielder Justin, and Toulouse's Charlie Cresswell are also options.