MAXENCE LACROIX IS set to join Chelsea from Crystal Palace with the two clubs close to agreeing a deal, the Press Association understands.
The France international, who won the FA Cup and Conference League with Palace, has been the Blues’ main defensive target this summer and will become their fifth signing of the transfer window.
Chelsea have been looking to add experience to their back line having missed out on Rennes’ Jeremy Jacquet in January, with the player opting to join Liverpool.
Levi Colwill, who is considered to be a key part of the club’s long-term plans, missed almost all of last season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, with Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah forming the central-defensive partnership for much of the campaign.
Lacroix, who made 55 appearances last season for Palace, has been one of the league’s most consistent defenders since moving to Selhurst Park from Wolfsburg in 2024.
Chelsea flew out to Australia on Friday morning to begin their pre-season tour though it is likely that, once the deal is finalised, Lacroix will be given a period off having been part of the France squad that reached the semi-finals of the World Cup.
The Blues confirmed the club-record signing of Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers on Tuesday and have also added Atalanta defender Marco Palestra, striker Emmanuel Emegha from Strasbourg and Sporting Lisbon’s Geovany Quenda.
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World Cup-winner Marc Cucurella moved to Real Madrid in June while fellow defender Malo Gusto, Lacroix’s international team-mate, could also depart with Manchester City amongst the clubs interested.
Monaco’s French midfielder Aladji Bamba has signed a five-year deal with Premier League club Newcastle, both teams confirmed on Friday.
Aladji Bamba. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
The deal is reported to be worth 35 million euros ($40m) with the Principality side to receive a percentage of the future sale of the 20-year-old.
“I was very excited when I heard Newcastle were interested in signing me,” said Bamba, who becomes the club’s fourth signing this summer.
“I know about the history of the club and I’ve visited the stadium already, which is amazing. I can’t wait to be on the pitch there and hope to have some great times with the fans.
Bamba joined Monaco in 2021 but has played just 25 matches — 18 in Ligue 1, two in the French Cup and five in the Champions League. The Riviera outfit finished fifth in Ligue 1 last season.
Juventus are expected to step up their pursuit of Guglielmo Vicario after the goalkeeper was left out of Tottenham’s pre-season tour squad, the Press Association understands.
Juventus are expected to step up their pursuit of Guglielmo Vicario. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
Vicario was not included in Spurs’ 35-man touring party, which set off for New Zealand on Thursday morning. A club statement confirmed a “minor injury” meant the Italy international stayed back in England.
However, after Vicario lost his first-choice role to Antonin Kinsky at the end of a difficult 2025-26 campaign, the 29-year-old had already received the green light to leave, and his absence from Tottenham’s summer tour will only offer further encouragement to Juventus.
Juventus had placed Argentina and Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez at the top of their summer wish list, but Villa director of football operations Damian Vidagany revealed earlier this month that Martinez would not be sold.
After more advances for Martinez failed, PA understands Juventus are ready to move on to alternative options, and it will open the door for Vicario to bring his three-year stay at Spurs to an end.
With experienced goalkeeper Martin Dubravka signed to be the understudy to Kinsky, who signed a new deal last month, Vicario was always expected to depart Tottenham in this transfer window, and Juventus are now his most likely destination after Inter Milan had initially led the race.
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Chelsea close to signing Lacroix, Newcastle add Monaco midfielder
LAST UPDATE | 24 Jul
MAXENCE LACROIX IS set to join Chelsea from Crystal Palace with the two clubs close to agreeing a deal, the Press Association understands.
The France international, who won the FA Cup and Conference League with Palace, has been the Blues’ main defensive target this summer and will become their fifth signing of the transfer window.
Chelsea have been looking to add experience to their back line having missed out on Rennes’ Jeremy Jacquet in January, with the player opting to join Liverpool.
Levi Colwill, who is considered to be a key part of the club’s long-term plans, missed almost all of last season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, with Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah forming the central-defensive partnership for much of the campaign.
Lacroix, who made 55 appearances last season for Palace, has been one of the league’s most consistent defenders since moving to Selhurst Park from Wolfsburg in 2024.
Chelsea flew out to Australia on Friday morning to begin their pre-season tour though it is likely that, once the deal is finalised, Lacroix will be given a period off having been part of the France squad that reached the semi-finals of the World Cup.
The Blues confirmed the club-record signing of Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers on Tuesday and have also added Atalanta defender Marco Palestra, striker Emmanuel Emegha from Strasbourg and Sporting Lisbon’s Geovany Quenda.
World Cup-winner Marc Cucurella moved to Real Madrid in June while fellow defender Malo Gusto, Lacroix’s international team-mate, could also depart with Manchester City amongst the clubs interested.
Monaco’s French midfielder Aladji Bamba has signed a five-year deal with Premier League club Newcastle, both teams confirmed on Friday.
The deal is reported to be worth 35 million euros ($40m) with the Principality side to receive a percentage of the future sale of the 20-year-old.
“I was very excited when I heard Newcastle were interested in signing me,” said Bamba, who becomes the club’s fourth signing this summer.
“I know about the history of the club and I’ve visited the stadium already, which is amazing. I can’t wait to be on the pitch there and hope to have some great times with the fans.
Bamba joined Monaco in 2021 but has played just 25 matches — 18 in Ligue 1, two in the French Cup and five in the Champions League. The Riviera outfit finished fifth in Ligue 1 last season.
Juventus are expected to step up their pursuit of Guglielmo Vicario after the goalkeeper was left out of Tottenham’s pre-season tour squad, the Press Association understands.
Vicario was not included in Spurs’ 35-man touring party, which set off for New Zealand on Thursday morning. A club statement confirmed a “minor injury” meant the Italy international stayed back in England.
However, after Vicario lost his first-choice role to Antonin Kinsky at the end of a difficult 2025-26 campaign, the 29-year-old had already received the green light to leave, and his absence from Tottenham’s summer tour will only offer further encouragement to Juventus.
Juventus had placed Argentina and Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez at the top of their summer wish list, but Villa director of football operations Damian Vidagany revealed earlier this month that Martinez would not be sold.
After more advances for Martinez failed, PA understands Juventus are ready to move on to alternative options, and it will open the door for Vicario to bring his three-year stay at Spurs to an end.
With experienced goalkeeper Martin Dubravka signed to be the understudy to Kinsky, who signed a new deal last month, Vicario was always expected to depart Tottenham in this transfer window, and Juventus are now his most likely destination after Inter Milan had initially led the race.
*****
- Additional reporting by AFP
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