Chelsea is intensifying efforts to acquire Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix, with the London club seeking a fee in the region of $60 million for the French international. Palace is reportedly holding out for maximum profit on the 26-year-old player, who has expressed a desire to leave during the current transfer window.
Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali and Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish held discussions in New York on Sunday. The meeting took place at the Aman Hotel near Central Park, coinciding with the World Cup final. Chelsea is understood to have initially offered around $55 million but may increase their bid to $60 million, potentially including performance-related bonuses, as both clubs aim to finalize an agreement.
Chelsea had previously shown interest in Lacroix earlier in the summer. The defender initially cost Palace $18 million when acquired from Wolfsburg and has since become a key performer in the Premier League and European competitions.
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In parallel transfer developments, Italian club Como has reportedly made an offer of $35 million for Chelsea center-back Trevoh Chalobah. Como's initial proposals were previously rejected, and they are now working to meet Chelsea's valuation with a structured offer. Inter Milan has also expressed interest in Chalobah, seeking two center-backs for their squad, but Como is optimistic about securing a deal for the player.
Separately, Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers was scheduled for a medical at Chelsea on Monday. Rogers returned from the World Cup following England's third-place playoff victory. His former club, Middlesbrough, is expected to receive approximately $20.2 million from Rogers' transfer to Chelsea, a sum that would constitute a record sell-on fee in the Premier League for the $117 million transfer.