Crystal Palace are closing in on a deal with VfL Wolfsburg over the transfer of Maxence Lacroix, Fabrizio Romano has exclusively revealed to GIVEMESPORT.
Oliver Glasner faces uncertainty over the future of his defensive options after Joachim Andersen was recently snapped up by Fulham in a deal worth around £30m. Denmark centre-back Marc Guehi’s partner has also attracted the interest of several clubs, namely Newcastle United, after an impressive summer of performances with the England national team at Euro 2024.
Both first-team defenders look increasingly likely to leave Selhurst Park this summer, and strengthening the backline in their absence remains a key priority.
Maxence Lacroix a priority target for Crystal Palace
Glasner is very keen to reunite with the Frenchman
Lacroix’s arrival at Wolfsburg in 2020 marked the beginning of five seasons of loyalty to the German team. Making over 100 appearances for the club, he has grown to become a prominent figure in the first team and his performances have previously earned him high praise, with some calling him “elite” for his skill.
In those five years, Lacroix has gained experience working under Glasner during the Austrian’s previous two-year stay at Wolfsburg, and the player also has less than 12 months left in his current tenure in Germany. It is largely for these reasons that the 24-year-old has featured so high on Palace’s list of priority targets.
Maxence Lacroix’s Bundesliga stats 2023/24
Perform
28
EXAMPLE
4
Loti at 90
1.83
Permit for 90
4.61
Conquered aerials at 90
2.44
With key players set to leave the club this summer, Glasner and his entourage are keen to step up their pursuit of Lacroix and have already handed in a £14m package for the Frenchman.
The offer was lower than Wolfsburg’s valuation of the player, but negotiations are continuing towards a deal and personal terms have already been agreed between the Eagles and the Belgian defender.
Fees from Andersen’s departure, likely along with the hefty profits from the sale of Marco Guehi, could fund Palace’s push for centre-back reinforcements, and while a move for Lacroix is ​​still the closest to being completed, there could be room for further signings for the France-born MAN.
Benfica’s Tomas Araujo and Bayer Leverkusen’s Odilon Kossounou are other names linked with a recent move to the Premier League, with £38m being offered for the latter.
Romano: Palace “still working” on Lacroix Transfer
Personal terms and conditions have already been agreed upon
Speaking exclusively to GIVEMESPORT, Romano insisted that talks about Lacroix’s move to Crystal Palace are still ongoing, despite the opening offer not being enough to convince the player’s employers. He said:
“I think Lacroix is ​​the closest at the moment as they have a contract agreement with the player.
“The first offer has already been made to Wolfsburg, which is still not enough to convince the club. It was around £12 million plus add-ons, but still no agreement between the clubs.
“But Palace are still working on it. He is the most suitable option for the manager. Glasner believes that Lacroix is ​​the perfect option for them.”