Crystal Palace are said to be rekindling their interest in a centre-back target as they look to provide cover should Marc Guehi leave the club this summer.
Guehi on the way?
Much of the speculation surrounding Oliver Glasner’s side ahead of the new Premier League season has been misplaced from their perspective, with many of their stars linked with a move away from Selhurst Park.
Michael Olise has already left but there is still interest in his magical partner in crime Eberechi Eze, who is said to be attracting the attention of Manchester City and Tottenham.
Top clubs also include defender Guehi, who has two years left on his contract in south London and is unlikely to sign a new deal with the Eagles. Newcastle United have opened negotiations to sign the Euro 2024 star, although according to Palace they are “adamant that they will not sell Guehi for less than £60m”, with Chelsea having a 20% sell-on clause (£12m if he were to leave ). for £60 million).
Guehi is “open” to the idea of ​​a move to Tyneside, but Liverpool are also believed to be interested in his services, which could complicate matters for the Magpies, playing into the hands of maximum-seeking Palace in the process. value from their captain.
In the event of Guehi’s departure, Glasner’s team will be looking for a new centre-back to partner Joachim Andersen and are ready to replace another former Glasner pupil to fill the gap.
Center on the radar for Crystal Palace
Football Transfers report that Palace have rekindled their interest in signing Wolfsburg defender Maxence Lacroix, who has long been linked with a move away from the German club.
The Frenchman has the final 12 months of his £59,000-a-week contract in Germany running out and is unlikely to sign a new deal, meaning he could be available for just €20m (£17m) this summer.
He has made more than 100 Bundesliga appearances to date, with the Bundesliga’s official website comparing him to Manchester United icon Rio Ferdinand when he made his debut in 2021.
“Lacroix has a certain grace on the ball reminiscent of former Manchester United full-back Rio Ferdinand in his prime. Similarly, he can slip out of defense and pick a pass forward to a teammate, and his elegance hides a steely will to win and healthy aggression,” they wrote .
However, his career has not caught fire since then as many had hoped and he endured a difficult 2023-24 campaign, seeing red three times in just 28 appearances.
But that didn’t deter Palace, with Glasner working with the defender in the 2020-21 season when he was considered a major talent. The current Palace boss has given Lacroix 29 starts in the Bundesliga and knows him well from their time together, with the report adding that he would be “happy” to work with Lacroix again in south London.
Any deal for the Wolfsburg man could hinge on Guehi, but if he does leave, the Eagles are “definitely” looking at Lacroix with “an ambition to secure his signature” before the end of the transfer window.