Maxence Lacroix has emerged as a primary target to bolster Aston Villa’s backline, with the Villans one of four clubs across Europe interested in signing him.
TEAMtalk has revealed that Liverpool, Chelsea and Bayern Munich are the other three clubs monitoring his situation.
Having arrived at Crystal Palace in 2024, the 25-year-old has since established himself as one of the fastest centre-backs in the Premier League.
This season, he was recorded of sprinting at 35.39 km/h, the quickest in the league so far.
Following the departure of Marc Guehi in January, Lacroix has had to step up as a leader in defence for the Eagles. His recent performances earned him a call-up to the French national team for the first time in his career. He made his debut last week in the 2-1 win against Brazil, coming on as a substitute in the 58th minute.
Perfect fit for Unai Emery
The Frenchman would be the perfect signing for Villa to improve the quality of their defence and partner alongside Ezri Konsa. Whilst Pau Torres offers elite technical distribution, Lacroix would cover the gaps in the Spaniard’s overall game. His incredible raw speed and aerial dominance would transform Villa’s defensive style.
Unai Emery’s high line has at times caused them problems this season. Lacroix’s pace and excellent ball recovery would certainly help that. He’s also comfortable on the ball, which is a necessity to play under the Spaniard.
Given his age, he still has time to improve. The trajectory of his career so far matches the current aspirations and growth of Villa. It is exciting times at the club, and the signing of the centre-back would be a phenomenal statement of intent.
Difficulty of the deal
Any move for Lacroix will be difficult. He is under contract until June 2029, and there is no release clause, putting Oliver Glasner’s side in a strong position. The number of clubs interested in his signature could lead to a bidding war this summer.
Palace won’t want to lose two key players in their defence so quickly after one another, so they could demand a substantial fee.
A potential deciding factor on his future at Selhurst Park could be whether they win the Europa Conference League or not this season. As they are unlikely to qualify for European football through the league, this may be their only chance to secure it.
Lacroix is likely to have very high ambitions for his career, so the prospect of a starting role for a club in the Champions League could appeal to him.
All eyes will be on how the Eagles finish the season, with their star defender likely to be at the centre of huge speculation this summer.
