(Credit: Imago)

Callum O'Connell

Tue 26 May 2026 7:00, UK

Follow us on Google Discover

Maxence Lacroix is increasingly likely to leave Crystal Palace this summer amid growing interest from a number of elite clubs across Europe.

The 26-year-old has enjoyed another outstanding season at Selhurst Park, led his side to the Conference League final, and has been named in France’s World Cup squad.

As a result, a number of clubs both in the Premier League and across Europe are now prepared to lure him away from South London after two years at the club.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Lacroix is open to leaving Crystal Palace following the departure of Marc Guehi in January.

However, it will likely take a “huge” fee to lure the France international away as Palace are determined to keep their best players at the club long-term.

Why is Maxence Lacroix likely to leave Crystal Palace?

Brown told Football Insider in March that Crystal Palace are concerned about Lacroix’s future and fear his emergence as a France international could become a problem.

Palace have already experienced issues with Jean-Philippe Mateta following his international recognition, and now believe the centre-back could be lured away.

His defensive partner Guehi was allowed to leave Selhurst Park in January to join Man City, and his success since the move could tempt Lacroix to follow.

“Crystal Palace might struggle to keep Lacroix around,” Brown told Football Insider.

“As always, of course they want to keep their best players, so it’ll take a huge fee for anybody to sign Lacroix, but clubs are more and more willing to pay those fees.

“He will be looking at the success his old partner Marc Guehi has had since he was allowed to leave in January, and he’ll be thinking he can replicate that.

“Plus, we’ve said it before with Crystal Palace after the Mateta situation, but I’ve seen it a lot with players getting called up for France and then they get delusions of grandeur.

“They’ve got their ‘Les Bleus’ teammates telling them how great it is playing in the Champions League and for these top clubs, so that can prove tempting.

“By all accounts, Lacroix has enjoyed his time at Palace and he has a good connection with the club and the fans, but unfortunately that doesn’t mean much these days.”

Could Crystal Palace keep hold of Lacroix this summer?

Lacroix is now attracting high-profile suitors amid speculation about his future, but he is not the only big name being linked with a move away.

The likes of Mateta, Adam Wharton and Daniel Munoz have also attracted interest from Europe’s top clubs and could be tempted to move on this summer.

Brown told Football Insider last month that Crystal Palace hope to keep their best players and believe winning the Conference League will provide a huge boost.

Oliver Glasner’s side will take on Rayo Vallecano at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig on 27 May, with the outcome likely crucial to Palace’s summer plans.

Their ambitions of bringing in a top new manager will likely also hinge on the result, while the new boss could play a key role in convincing players to stay.