Chelsea need to sign at least one new centre-back this summer but face a challenge landing their number one target.
The Blues have to add experience and quality at the back after last season saw them concede 52 league goals before eventually finishing 10th.
Xabi Alonso has given the go ahead for Chelsea to sign Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace, but despite looking for the Frenchman's replacement, a lot must happen before an agreement can be reached between the two London clubs.
Chelsea encounter another problem in pursuit of Maxence Lacroix
After being included in Didier Deschamps' final 26-man squad, Lacroix is currently away with France at the 2026 World Cup and preparing for a semi-final clash against Spain.
Even though he has played in just one of Les Bleus' World Cup matches, the Palace defender will be able to add an impressive achievement to his CV, regardless of how far the nation end up going.
And his inclusion in this summer's most prestigious tournament has seen Palace slap a £60 million price tag on him — a fee the Blues feel is too much.
As a result of their gap in valuation, according to talkSPORT, Chelsea would be open to offering Trevoh Chalobah in exchange.
Chalobah — also at the World Cup with England and into the semi-finals — is expected to leave Stamford Bridge this summer with Alonso clearly not fancying him.
Trevoh Chalobah has other ideas
The problem for Chelsea when it comes to part exchanging Chalobah for Lacroix is the Englishman's preference to move abroad.
Cesc Fabregas' Como wanted Chalobah but the Italians wiped out most of their budget re-signing Nico Paz and that has left Inter Milan with a clear run at the Chelsea defender, and he is just as keen.
The Serie A giants are believed to be the 27-year-old's preferred destination, suggesting he has little desire to return to Palace despite spending six months on loan at Selhurst Park during the 2024-25 season.
Failure to convince Chalobah to stay in the Premier League would force Chelsea into either meeting Palace's demands or moving onto other targets.
After coming through the Cobham academy, the Freetown-born defender has gone on to be directly involved in 11 goals in 151 senior matches in all competitions.
The 27-year-old has just two years left on his £62,500-per week contract and would leave west London with five major honours, including two FIFA Club World Cups and the 2023-24 UEFA Conference League.
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