Crystal Palace are now being linked with a move for Lecce defender Tiago Gabriel as Chelsea continue to lurk behind Maxence Lacroix.
Xabi Alonso’s side remain interested in taking the France international from Selhurst Park and have been quoted a fee of £60m – according to Simon Phillips.
The likes of Charlie Cresswell and Chrislain Matsima have already been linked to Crystal Palace as possible replacements for Lacroix.
Now – according to Orazio Accomando of Sport Mediaset – the Eagles are considering Gabriel too, but who is the Lecce star and what could he offer Pierre Sage?
How much is Maxence Lacroix worth? 🤔
The Frenchman still has three years left on his contract 📝
Meet Tiago Gabriel: Lecce’s very own version of Cristian Romero
At the age of just 21, some Crystal Palace fans may have doubts over the Portugal U21 international’s ability to replace a 26-year-old France international in Lacroix.
Those doubts are fair and understandable, but Gabriel certainly seems to possess the potential to eventually reach that level one day – if not surpass it.
The right-footed Lecce No.44 is already drawing comparisons to Tottenham star and Argentina international Cristian Romero in Italy due to his aggressiveness and effectiveness when it comes to tackling.
As Get Football News Italy explain, Gabriel was one of the best tacklers in Serie A last season, a division he has adapted to seamlessly since making a €1.2m (£1m) move from Estrela da Amadora in January 2025.
Standing at 6ft 4in, the man born in Cascais is also dominant in the air, winning 3.4 aerial duels per game in Serie A last season as WhoScored shows – the exact same amount as Lacroix won in the Premier League.
Gabriel made 36 starts in total, scoring two goals as Lecce finished 17th and narrowly avoided relegation.
The official Serie A YouTube channel even describe the Crystal Palace target as ‘one of the most reliable defenders’ in Italy.
Accomando does not state how much Lecce want for the former Sporting CP prospect, although it is said that Benfica are also keen and are offering €22m (£19m) to sign the defender.
Considering Gabriel only has 12 months remaining on his contract, we doubt the price tag will go much higher.
- Full name: Tiago Gabriel Coelho Oliveira
- Age: 21
- Date of birth: 26 December 2004
- Height: 1.94m (6ft 4in)
- Nationality: Portuguese
- Place of birth: Cascais
- Club: Lecce
- Position: Centre-back
