Crystal Palace tipped to accept '£60m' Maxence Lacroix offer from Chelsea but hijack possible

Crystal Palace are braced to receive offers for Maxence Lacroix amid growing interest from Chelsea and a number of elite European clubs.

The 26-year-old has impressed at the World Cup as part of the France squad, and started as they brushed Norway aside with a 4-1 win in their final group stage clash.

His performances for Crystal Palace have been key to them lifting the FA Cup and Conference League in their last two seasons, but they now face an uphill battle to keep him.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Lacroix's exit may now be inevitable if Chelsea make a formal offer for the Crystal Palace star.

A fee of around £60million would likely be enough to prise him away from Selhurst Park as Chelsea prepare to step up their growing interest.

Although Crystal Palace are extremely reluctant to lose key players this summer, interest from Chelsea and the money on offer at Stamford Bridge could dent their ambitions.

Could Chelsea make a move to sign Maxence Lacroix?

Football Insider revealed on 25 June that Lacroix has emerged as Chelsea's top target as they aim to strengthen at the back after Xabi Alonso's arrival.

The Blues want to sign the France international as soon as possible to get ahead of potential rival suitors, given that he has proven himself in the English top-flight.

Crystal Palace have been reluctant to lose key players this summer, but feel they may be unable to deter interest in Lacroix, although any deal will have to be on their terms.

"This is going to be a very difficult summer for Crystal Palace," Brown told Football Insider.

"I've always been of the opinion that they should have been getting these players tied down to long-term deals after they won the FA Cup to protect them long-term, but that hasn't happened.

"Lacroix is somebody I watched closely while he was at Wolfsburg, and since he's gone to Palace he's become more and more impressive, so it's no surprise there is interest.

"When that interest comes from a club like Chelsea, you have to be realistic and say it's going to be very difficult for Palace to keep hold of him and his exit could be inevitable.

"If he continues to perform at a high level at the World Cup, he will want to make that step up to a big club, and while Chelsea are the ones being mentioned, there are other clubs keen.

"But from a Palace point of view, they will be bracing for offers, and probably something around £60million will be enough to get a deal over the line.

"It's going to have to be a big fee and it's going to have to be on Palace's terms, but for the right price, I think it could be very difficult for them to stand in the way of a move."

Which other clubs are interested in signing Lacroix?

Chelsea are far from the only club keeping an eye on Lacroix, as his performances for Palace over the last two seasons have seen his reputation boosted across Europe.

Liverpool are looking to bolster their defence after missing out on Marc Guehi last year, and have been keeping an eye on his former defensive partner.

Meanwhile, Brown told Football Insider last month that Crystal Palace would prefer to sell Lacroix outside of the Premier League, with Bayern Munich the ideal option.

The centre-back has previous experience in the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg, while Bayern remain keen to bolster their back line after they also missed out on signing Guehi.

Lacroix's success with Palace and potentially France has set a number of clubs on high alert, and neither Chelsea nor Liverpool will find a deal straightforward to do.