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Romano: Chelsea near £55m+ Lacroix deal as owners step in
Chelsea are closing in on the signing of Maxence Lacroix in a deal valued at more than £55 million, with the transfer now at the final stages after ownership-level talks accelerated progress. The latest development follows an initial report from talkSPORT’s Alex Crook, who revealed that Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish is handling negotiations and that the overall package is expected to exceed £55m. Chelsea have also offered Palace the chance to sign several players, including defender Axel Disasi, as part of discussions surrounding the structure of the agreement.
Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano reinforced the momentum on his YouTube channel, stating: “Now the deal is really at the final stages. Lacroix is one step away from becoming a new Chelsea player. Agreement done with the player, personal terms fully agreed. Lacroix is more than happy and excited to become a new Chelsea player. So everything is in place on the player side.” Romano added that ownership figures from the clubs have been in direct contact, with a key meeting held in New York before the World Cup final, and that both sides are working to close the deal as soon as possible.
While a formal club-to-club agreement and the usual medical and paperwork are still required, the sense within negotiations is that completion could come at any moment. Chelsea’s flexibility in offering player options to Palace indicates a willingness to resolve remaining details creatively, ensuring the financial package and squad planning align with their broader strategy.
Lacroix, admired for his pace, anticipation, and comfort defending large spaces, fits the profile of a modern centre-back who can thrive in a high defensive line. For Chelsea, he would add athleticism and ball progression to a back line that has been reshaped over multiple windows. The move would also continue a busy recruitment spell at Stamford Bridge, coming hot on the heels of other high-profile business, including a separate deal after Morgan Rogers that has been described as “historic”.
As ever with transfers at this stage, caution applies until signatures are on the page. But with personal terms agreed and ownership directly involved, Chelsea appear to be edging toward wrapping up one of the window’s most significant defensive deals.
Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano reinforced the momentum on his YouTube channel, stating: “Now the deal is really at the final stages. Lacroix is one step away from becoming a new Chelsea player. Agreement done with the player, personal terms fully agreed. Lacroix is more than happy and excited to become a new Chelsea player. So everything is in place on the player side.” Romano added that ownership figures from the clubs have been in direct contact, with a key meeting held in New York before the World Cup final, and that both sides are working to close the deal as soon as possible.
While a formal club-to-club agreement and the usual medical and paperwork are still required, the sense within negotiations is that completion could come at any moment. Chelsea’s flexibility in offering player options to Palace indicates a willingness to resolve remaining details creatively, ensuring the financial package and squad planning align with their broader strategy.
Lacroix, admired for his pace, anticipation, and comfort defending large spaces, fits the profile of a modern centre-back who can thrive in a high defensive line. For Chelsea, he would add athleticism and ball progression to a back line that has been reshaped over multiple windows. The move would also continue a busy recruitment spell at Stamford Bridge, coming hot on the heels of other high-profile business, including a separate deal after Morgan Rogers that has been described as “historic”.
As ever with transfers at this stage, caution applies until signatures are on the page. But with personal terms agreed and ownership directly involved, Chelsea appear to be edging toward wrapping up one of the window’s most significant defensive deals.