Chelsea are engaged in early talks as they pursue the Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix.
It is understood that the Blues are advancing their interest in the former Wolfsburg defender.
Standard Sport reported on Tuesday that the west Londoners hold a genuine interest in Lacroix and that he featured prominently on their list of summer centre-back targets, above the likes of Como defender Jacobo Ramon.
Lacroix is believed to be open to a move to Stamford Bridge, who are signing Atalanta right-back Marco Palestra. The Italian is set to join on an initial six-year contract, with Chelsea to insert a clause into the deal that will allow them to extend it by a further year if they choose.
Palace centre-back Lacroix is currently at the World Cup representing France.
The Eagles are under no financial pressure to sell the 26-year-old, who assumed greater responsibility in the Palace backline once England centre-back Marc Guehi left in January to join Manchester City. Lacroix has been at Selhurst Park for two full seasons, playing 70 times in the Premier League.
Chelsea are willing to sell an England international of their own this summer. Trevoh Chalobah is available for sale for the right price, with Serie A side Como having approached the Premier League side to make their interest in the 26-year-old known.
Right-back Malo Gusto has an uncertain future. He has been linked with Manchester City, where former Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is set to become Pep Guardiola’s successor in the dugout. Gusto played under the Italian during his tenure at Stamford Bridge.
