Chelsea are on the verge of completing a $69 Million for Crystal Palace center-back Maxence Lacroix. Blues Close On LacroixAccording to The Athletic, Chelsea are finalizing the transfer of Palace center-back Lacroix in a deal worth around $69 million. The French defender is scheduled to undergo a medical on Friday before committing to a contract that runs until 2032. Alonso Reshuffles Defensive OptionsOnce the transfer is formally completed, new manager Xabi Alonso must swiftly integrate Lacroix into his defensive setup throughout the remainder of pre-season. Meanwhile, Palace face pressure to secure a replacement before the transfer window closes to preserve their defensive stability.