Chelsea have agreed a deal with Crystal Palace to sign Maxence Lacroix.
The 26-year-old French defender has given permission to finalise the transfer for a fee in the region of £51m.
Lacroix is expected to undergo a medical in the next 24 hours before signing a long-term contract, understood to run until 2032.
The agreement between the two London clubs was negotiated at ownership level.
The 26-year-old has been an integral part of Palace’s defence since signing from Wolfsburg in 2024, helping them to lift the FA Cup, Community Shield and Conference League.
Lacroix’s performances earned him a place in France’s squad for the 2026 World Cup. He made three appearances during the tournament, including starts against Norway and England in the third-place play-off, as Les Bleus finished fourth.
Palace signed Lacroix from Bundesliga side Wolfsburg in August 2024 for an initial fee of £15.5m, with a further £2.6m in potential add-ons.
