Chelsea are attempting to take Maxence Lacroix away from Crystal Palace.
BBC Sport claim that the Eagles are expecting a bid from those at Stamford Bridge for the France international soon, as the Blues aim to make further defensive reinforcements for Xabi Alonso after the £47m capture of Marco Palestra from Atalanta.
It would be a significant early setback for Pierre Sage at Crystal Palace to lose such an influential figure in Lacroix – although there is a decent chance of Josh Acheampong being involved in the move, which would soften the blow quite substantially.
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Why Josh Acheampong could sign for Crystal Palace
With only Chris Richards, Jaydee Canvot and Chadi Riad to fill three spots in the event of Lacroix departing, another option would be needed in the centre-back department.
Incidentally, the Standard claimed at the start of June that Crystal Palace tried to sign Acheampong in January after losing Marc Guehi to Manchester City.
Not only that, but respected Chelsea reporter Simon Phillips is now stating on the SPTC Podcast that the England U21 international “might” be thrown in as part of the Lacroix deal, as his family begin to grow frustrated by his situation at Stamford Bridge.
Acheampong is one of the brightest talents in England, but only made 14 starts across all competitions for Chelsea last season.
With the Blues now targeting further competition for their Cobham academy graduate in Lacroix, Phillips says Acheampong’s father has been left “really angry” at the west Londoners, while the 20-year-old himself is said to be unhappy too.
Having tried to sign the Chelsea No.34 as recently as January, it is a fair assumption to make that Steve Parish will at least ask about the defender born in Waltham Forest during negotiations.
In our view, a £50m sale of Lacroix, with Acheampong moving to Selhurst Park in the process, would be an immense bit of business from Crystal Palace – who have also been linked to Ismaelo Ganiou of RC Lens – and it feels realistic to boot.
It was not long ago that Acheampong was receiving regular opportunities under Enzo Maresca and delivering some fantastic performances as well.
Liam Twomey of The Athletic even told the Straight Outta Cobham podcast that Chelsea believe the centre-back is a “world-class” talent.
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The Frenchman still has three years left on his contract 📝
However, Chelsea now appear to be fixated on signing ready-made players who can deliver immediately under Alonso, which may end up giving Crystal Palace a unique opportunity to land one of the most precocious defenders in the country.
