Chelsea have received a massive boost in their pursuit of Maxence Lacroix.
The Blues have the 26-year-old high on their shortlist of centre-backs to sign this summer.
Lacroix is currently away with France at the 2026 World Cup and preparing for Tuesday's Last 32 knockout tie against Sweden.
Athough the defender's focus will be on helping Les Bleus reach the tournament's next stage, all the talk back home remains on his club future.
And it seems Chelsea are making good progress in their efforts to bring him to Stamford Bridge in time for the new 2026-27 season.
Crystal Palace open talks for Maxence Lacroix's replacement
Even though Crystal Palace absolutely do not want to lose Lacroix, especially after Marc Guehi has already moved to Manchester City, they may be powerless to stop him.
The Frenchman wants to test himself at Stamford Bridge with an offer around £50 million likely to be too much for the Eagles to turn down.
And in preparation of the former Wolfsburg man moving to west London, according to a recent report from the Standard, Crystal Palace have already opened talks over his long term replacement.
Toulouse's Charlie Cresswell is top of the list with Palace already in negotiations with the defender's agents.
The 23-year-old — previously at Leeds United — is destined to return to England following an impressive two years in Ligue 1.
The defender has played 88 times for Toulouse, scoring eight times and providing a further five assists. Not bad numbers for a centre-back in a league where his side are normally outclassed.
Chelsea working on multiple deals simultaneously
The Blues' structure, which sees them employ multiple sporting directors, has definitely come in handy so far this summer.
The club are working on multiple deals at the same time. In addition to Lacroix, and upon the request of Xabi Alonso, Chelsea are also in talks to sign Granit Xhaka from Sunderland.
Marco Palestra is also on the verge of being unveiled after Chelsea reached an agreement with Atalanta.
And more recently, it emerged the Blues have entered into discussions with Rayo Vallecano for left-back Pep Chavarria; the player Alonso wants to replace Marc Cucurella following his transfer to Real Madrid.
Lacroix could be just one of several new additions this summer who will be expected to work under Alonso and get the team back into Europe after the side missed out last season.
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