Manchester United have entered the race for Maxence Lacroix, as Premier League giants circle Crystal Palace’s defensive rock following a dramatic surge in his valuation. The French centre-back, a towering presence since his £18 million arrival from Wolfsburg, has become the cornerstone of Palace’s most triumphant era, and his performances have ignited a fierce transfer battle among England’s elite.
Lacroix’s influence at Selhurst Park is impossible to ignore. Operating as the central figure in Oliver Glasner’s three-man defence, the 26-year-old has marshalled Palace to unprecedented silverware—claiming the FA Cup, Community Shield, and Europa Conference League in just two seasons. His defensive prowess has been pivotal, with Palace recording two clean sheets in three finals and an impressive 20 shutouts across all competitions last term. Yet Lacroix is more than just a defensive enforcer; he demonstrated his versatility with a goal and two assists during the 2025/26 campaign, underscoring his ability to play out from the back and contribute offensively.
His meteoric rise earned him a coveted spot in Didier Deschamps’ France World Cup squad, preferred over high-profile names such as Benjamin Pavard, Castello Lukeba, and Manchester United’s own Leny Yoro—a testament to Lacroix’s growing reputation and the high regard in which he is held by top managers.
The transfer saga has reached new heights as Chelsea have made Lacroix their primary target, eyeing him for Xabi Alonso’s impending tactical revolution and a switch to a 3-4-2-1 system—the very formation in which Lacroix has thrived. While the player is reportedly open to a move across London, negotiations have stalled as Crystal Palace have hiked their asking price from an initial £47 million to nearly £60 million, sensing the potential for a lucrative bidding war.
A source close to the negotiations confirmed: “Chelsea have made Lacroix their priority and efforts are still ongoing to get a deal done. Palace won’t make it easy, though, and their initial asking price of €55m (£47m) has risen now quite substantially. Palace are aware of other clubs circling. Arsenal have been monitoring his situation and they’re now stepping up their interest in a new centre-back following William Saliba’s injury. Look out for Liverpool, Manchester United, and Manchester City as well.”
Despite Manchester United’s abundance of centre-back options under Michael Carrick, persistent injury woes—including Matthijs de Ligt’s continued absence and doubts over Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez—have prompted INEOS to reassess their defensive priorities. Lacroix fits the new ownership’s vision: Premier League-tested, entering his prime, and ready for the challenge of Old Trafford.
The stage is set for a high-stakes transfer showdown. Whether United are prepared to meet Palace’s steep £60 million demand and derail Chelsea’s ambitious pursuit will be the next act in this summer’s most explosive defensive saga.
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