Crystal Palace have made an initial offer to sign Wolfsburg defender Maxence Lacroix, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
The move comes as Palace looks to bolster their defense before the transfer window closes.
This urgency is driven by the recent developments at the club, with Joachim Andersen on the verge of joining Fulham after the Cottagers agreed on a £30 million deal for the Danish defender.
Meanwhile, Andersen’s defensive partner, Marc Guehi, has also attracted interest, particularly from Newcastle United.
However, the Magpies have faced multiple rejections for their bids, as Palace values Guehi at £70 million.
The potential loss of both key defenders has put Palace in a difficult position, with club chairman Steve Parish expressing his reluctance to lose both players in the same window.
Lacroix, who is eyeing a move away from Wolfsburg before his contract expires in June 2025, has emerged as a top target for Palace.
The club is keen to secure a deal for the French defender, who worked with Palace’s head coach, Oliver Glasner, during the Austrian’s tenure at Wolfsburg.
Romano revealed on social media that Palace’s offer for Lacroix stands at £12 million, with an additional £2 million in potential add-ons.
This comes after Palace lost Michael Olise to Bayern Munich earlier in the window and responded by signing Marseille’s Ismaila Sarr on a five-year deal.
Sarr, along with Chadi Riad and Daichi Kamada, has been part of a relatively quiet summer transfer period for Palace.
If the deal goes through, Lacroix would become Glasner’s fourth signing this summer, adding to his previous four-season stint at Wolfsburg, where he made 111 appearances and scored seven goals.
Palace is also exploring other defensive options, including Benfica’s Tomas Araujo and Bayer Leverkusen’s Odilon Kossounou, as they look to strengthen their backline ahead of the new season.
