Chelsea are closing in on the signing of Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix after reaching an agreement between both clubs for the French centre-back.

The move is now awaiting the completion of final formalities, with the player reportedly set to complete the switch after being granted permission to finalize the transfer.

Lacroix has enjoyed an impressive spell at Crystal Palace since joining from German side Wolfsburg in 2024.

During his time at Selhurst Park, the 26-year-old established himself as one of the Premier League’s dependable defenders, playing a key role in Palace’s historic FA Cup triumph and UEFA Conference League success. His consistent performances have now earned him a move to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea’s pursuit of Lacroix comes as the club continues to reshape its defensive options ahead of the new campaign. Several defenders have attracted interest from rival clubs, prompting the Blues to strengthen their backline with an experienced and physically dominant centre-back.

Palace, meanwhile, are expected to reinvest the transfer fee in signing a replacement, having already monitored several defensive targets in recent months.

The deal also reflects the strong working relationship between Chelsea and Crystal Palace, with both clubs having completed multiple transfers over the years.

That familiarity is believed to have helped negotiations progress smoothly.

Chelsea have already been active during the summer transfer window, bringing in several new faces as they look to build a squad capable of challenging for major honours.

The arrival of Lacroix would add further depth, leadership, and defensive quality to the team as they prepare for another demanding season across domestic and European competitions.