Chelsea are preparing a significant defensive rebuild under incoming manager Xabi Alonso, with Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix emerging as a priority target.
The Blues are determined to add at least one central defender to their ranks this summer as Alonso looks to reshape the backline ahead of his official arrival at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have already moved Marc Cucurella on, selling the full-back to Real Madrid for £51.8m, raising funds to invest in strengthening their defensive options.
The club are also set to complete the signing of Atalanta defender Marco Palestra for a fee in excess of £43m, with the Italian expected to be Alonso’s first confirmed arrival.
Attention has now turned to centre-back, with Palace braced for a formal offer from their London rivals for Lacroix, who is currently away on international duty with France at the World Cup.
The 26-year-old has three years remaining on his contract at Selhurst Park and has been a cornerstone of Palace’s recent successes, including their FA Cup and Europa Conference League triumphs.
Palace are keen to tie Lacroix down to a new deal, though it remains unclear whether the defender is willing to enter into fresh contract discussions with the club.
Chelsea are also monitoring Como centre-back Jacobo Ramon, 21, as an alternative option should their pursuit of Lacroix prove difficult to complete.
Complicating matters further is Como’s interest in Trevoh Chalobah, with the Serie A side looking to add defensive cover rather than sell their own assets, while the England international is understood to be open to a move to Italy.
Ramon also retains contractual links to former club Real Madrid through various clauses, adding further complexity to any potential deal involving the young Spaniard.
Real Madrid are simultaneously pursuing Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, with the Blues valuing the Argentine at £120m, and Fernandez himself is known to be keen on making the switch to the Bernabeu.
Full-back Malo Gusto is also weighing up his future at Chelsea, with the club placing a £75m valuation on the Frenchman, who is attracting interest from Manchester City.
Further uncertainty surrounds Wesley Fofana and Tosin Adarabioyo, with additional sales in defence considered likely as Chelsea look to create squad space and financial flexibility.
Palestra, capable of operating on both flanks, is set to be first through the door as part of what promises to be a transformative summer of arrivals and departures at the club.
