Chelsea are close to completing the transfer of central manager Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Peles. The Athletic journalist David Ornstein reports this.

According to Dzherel, the clubs made a donation worth close to ?52 million. The 26-year-old Frenchman may soon undergo medical treatment after signing a contract from Chelsea until the summer of 2032.

Lacroix became one of the key players of Crystal Peles last season. Zahisnik played 55 matches in all tournaments, scoring three goals and providing three assists. Together, the team won the first European trophy in the club’s history, reaching the Conference League finals.

Performances on the club level also helped Lacroix to reach the French national team's bid for the World Cup 2026. At the tournament, the defender took part in three fights.

Chelsea have long been looking for a position in the center of the defense and considering Lacroix as one of the main candidates. The arrival of the Frenchman may push into the background of the low-ranking central defenders of the Londoners, including Benoit Badiashile, Vesli Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo and Trevo Chaloba.

Crystal Peles is already working on the search for a replacement for Lacroix. Among the possible candidates are the director of Augsburg, Chrislen Matsima, and the representative of Trabzonspor, Chibuike Nvaivu..