Chelsea are starting to take off this summer, with BlueCo looking to back prestigious new boss Xabi Alonso.
One of their latest deals nearing completion is for Atalanta youngster Marco Palestra.
The highly-rated Italian full-back has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in recent weeks, and Chelsea are understood to have reached an agreement with Atalanta.
Palestra has built a strong reputation in Italy after progressing through the Serie A club’s academy system, with the 20-year-old regarded as one of the brightest young defenders in Italian football.
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His versatility has also made him an attractive target for Chelsea’s recruitment team.
Palestra is capable of operating as a right-back, wing-back or further forward on the right flank, and the Italian impressed on loan at Cagliari last season.
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However, the Italian is not expected to be the final defensive addition this summer.
Attention has also turned towards Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix.
The French defender enjoyed an impressive first two seasons at Selhurst Park after arriving from Wolfsburg in 2024, and his performances quickly established him as one of Palace’s most important defenders.
Lacroix’s form has inevitably attracted attention from elsewhere in the Premier League, which included Arsenal and Real Madrid, but it now appears both are about to be beaten to the punch by Alonso’s side.
Chelsea set to sign Maxence Lacroix after the World Cup
According to L’Equipe, Chelsea are now set to complete a deal for Lacroix once the Club World Cup has concluded.
The report states the move is expected to be finalised after his involvement in the tournament comes to an end, after Lacroix emerged as one of the club’s leading defensive targets.
This news follows reports that Chelsea recently opened talks over a deal for the 26-year-old, with the expectation in France being Lacroix’s move to Stamford Bridge is inevitable.
Why Chelsea want to sign Maxence Lacroix despite centre-back roster
Chelsea already have several centre-backs in their first-team squad.
Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo all provide options in central defence.
However, reports have suggested the club remain keen to strengthen that area further, and new head coach Alonso is believed to want greater competition for places in that area.
The Spaniard has also regularly favoured a back-three system during his coaching career.
That tactical approach places additional emphasis on having several high-quality central defenders available.
Lacroix’s experience playing in both a back four and a back three will appeal to Chelsea’s recruitment staff, not to mention his pace and ability to defend in wide areas.
The arrival of another centre-back would also increase competition across the squad as the club prepare for a demanding campaign.
How much Chelsea will pay to sign Maxence Lacroix
Crystal Palace are expected to receive a significant fee if the move goes ahead.
L’Equipe have suggested the deal could be worth around £47 million, and that would represent a sizeable return on the £18m investment Palace made when signing Lacroix from Wolfsburg.
For Chelsea, it would mark another major addition during an ambitious summer rebuild.
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The west Londoners really want him.
