He’s become a cornerstone of their defence.
And now, he’s reached the World Cup semi-final with France and earned his status as one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League.
However, Maxence Lacroix has told Crystal Palace he wants to leave.
Chelsea are waiting.
And Palace have set their price.
Crystal Palace demand £55m for Maxence Lacroix as France World Cup star confirms desire to leave for Chelsea
According to The Times, Lacroix wants to leave Selhurst Park, with the 26-year-old having already indicated that desire to those in the Crystal Palace boardroom, and Chelsea have now been informed that it will cost £55 million to make that happen.
That figure is Crystal Palace’s position.
Yet, it is not expected to move significantly.
The justification sits in recent market precedent.
Jan Paul Van Hecke moved for more than £50 million.
However, Luka Vuskovic commanded a similar fee.
Palace believe their most prized defensive asset, with three years still remaining on his £60,000-a-week contract, commands at least as much as either of those deals.
Lacroix’s World Cup has only strengthened that argument.
He was deployed by Didier Deschamps for the final hour of France’s semi-final defeat to Spain.
Emerging as cover for the injured William Saliba in the highest-pressure situation available.
He didn’t look out of place for a second.
For Chelsea, the appeal is clear.
Xabi Alonso needs height, physicality and aerial dominance in the defensive structure he is building at Stamford Bridge.
Lacroix addresses those requirements precisely.
An additional complication that only strengthens Palace’s position and makes the £55 million fee even harder to negotiate down.
However, Crystal Palace have no financial need to sell.
But with their player having already indicated his desire to go, the conversation has moved from whether this deal happens to simply when and at what price.
Thus, the number is out there now.
£55 million.
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