Crystal Palace are preparing to offer defender Maxence Lacroix an improved contract this summer in an attempt to deter interest from several prominent clubs, according to TEAMtalk. Chelsea and Liverpool are among the sides reportedly monitoring the 26-year-old Frenchman.
Lacroix joined Palace in a deal worth £18 million from Wolfsburg in the summer of 2024, signing a five-year contract that currently runs until June 2029. Since his arrival, the centre-back has become a key figure for the Eagles, culminating in a successful campaign that saw the club lift the FA Cup last season and reach the Conference League final, where they will face Rayo Vallecano on May 27. He has also earned a place in Didier Deschamps’ France squad for the upcoming World Cup.
Palace’s hierarchy believe Lacroix’s development over the past year has established him as one of the Premier League’s top defenders, and they want to financially recognise his progress. While he currently earns around £50,000 per week, the club are prepared to discuss a new package that could potentially double his earnings. This move is partly driven by the awareness that his recent international call-up and consistent performances have increased his market value, now estimated to be around £50 million.
Interest in Lacroix extends beyond the Premier League. TEAMtalk reports that both Inter Milan and Napoli, the last two Serie A champions, are also keen on the player, as are German giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, who previously admired him during his time at Wolfsburg. Clubs across Europe believe Lacroix has developed into a defender capable of competing at the highest Champions League level.
Despite the external attention, Crystal Palace are not actively seeking to sell Lacroix. The club’s leadership are ambitious following their recent successes and are determined to retain the core of Oliver Glasner’s squad as they prepare for the arrival of a new manager. They view Lacroix as a central component of their long-term project and hope a new contract will convince him to remain at Selhurst Park.
