Chelsea transfer news: Xabi Alonso's Blues 'edge closer' to solving problematic position

Chelsea are reportedly advancing successful negotiations with Crystal Palace to unafraid the signing of French defender Maxence Lacroix. 

The Blues have identified the 26-year-old centre-back arsenic a superior transportation people to reenforce their antiaircraft enactment nether caput coach Xabi Alonso. 

The superior nine are said to beryllium keen to adhd height, physicality and proven Premier League acquisition to their backline earlier the upcoming play begins.

Lacroix has already made 70 Premier League appearances for Palace implicit the past 2 seasons, providing the Blues with capable Premier League experience, with a further 28 matches bringing him to 98 appearances for the London outfit.

Palace 'demand premium fee' for Maxence Lacroix

According to Sky Sports News, Palace are holding retired for a important interest exceeding the £55m Tottenham Hotspur precocious paid Brighton for Jan Paul van Hecke.

The study claims that leaders astatine some London clubs are said to inactive person a bully narration aft erstwhile deals involving Trevoh Chalobah and Ben Chilwell.

Chelsea person brought successful astir £130 cardinal from subordinate income this summertime to assistance money their recruitment plans, portion Alejandro Garnacho has present near for Aston Villa.

Indeed, much exits are expected from West London arsenic Alonso continues rebuilding the squad up of the caller season.

Why bash Chelsea privation Lacroix?

Standing astatine 190cm, Lacroix possesses an imposing carnal framework combined with ascendant aerial capableness and beardown duel-winning ability. 

The Frenchman's signature antiaircraft property is his exceptional betterment velocity and acceleration, which allows his backline to support a precocious antiaircraft enactment with confidence. 

The 26-year-old typically operates arsenic an aggressive, front-foot centre-back who proactively steps retired of defence to disrupt absorption build-ups done tackles and precocious interception numbers. 

Beyond his antiaircraft tenacity, Lacroix exhibits large composure nether unit and a reliable passing scope to play retired from the backmost comfortably.

Having antecedently searched for players nether 25, Chelsea's involvement successful the 26-year-old defender highlights their willingness to change their erstwhile transportation strategy. 

They person already had an attack for Granit Xhaka rejected, a determination that underlined their displacement successful modus operandi.