Maxence Lacroix set for Chelsea medical today ahead of £52M move from Palace

VIA DAVID ORNSTEIN ON X:

Maxence Lacroix is heading for a medical today ahead of finalising a blockbuster ~£52m move to Chelsea from Crystal Palace. The 26-year-old French centre-back is poised to put pen to paper on a massive Stamford Bridge contract running all the way through to June 2032.

🚨 Maxence Lacroix set for medical today before joining Chelsea from Crystal Palace. ~£52m deal being finalised⁠. 26yo centre-back to sign #CFC contract until June 2032⁠. Chibuike Nwaiwu among alternative #CPFC options to Chrislain Matsima @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/pcDRsZHaNu

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 24, 2026

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace are already plotting their contingency plans behind the scenes. As the Eagles prepare to part ways with their star defender, names like Chibuike Nwaiwu have emerged on their radar as potential alternatives to bolster their backline.