Crystal Palace are expected to “bend over backwards” to try to keep one of its star men at Selhurst Park beyond this summer. Several top European clubs are sniffing around the Eagles’ top players, including Liverpool, who have a long-term interest in Adam Wharton.
According to Football Insider, the Premier League defending champions have also been eyeing Maxence Lacroix. The French defender is viewed as a Marc Guehi alternative after deciding not to revisit a deal for the English centre-back in January.
Lacroix has stepped up since Guehi left Palace for Manchester City in a £20m deal. He has long been a fan favourite in South London and is now undoubtedly his team’s most important defender.
Palace desperate over Liverpool-linked Lacroix
Lacroix will have three years left on his contract in the summer, and the club will be eager to ensure he stays put. His manager, Oliver Glasner, departs when his deal is up in June and his replacement will want to call upon the 25-year-old’s defensive solidarity and leadership qualities.
The report claims that Liverpool’s scouts have been “impressed” by Lacroix’s performances this season. He’s appeared 27 times in the league, registering three goal contributions and helping Dean Henderson keep nine clean sheets.
Former Premier League scout Mick Brown has suggested that it’s not just the Merseysiders who are keeping tabs. He implied that several top-flight clubs and European clubs may be keen on the Frenchman.
Brown added: “They’ll be bending over backwards to keep Lacroix at the club, not only because of his importance on the pitch but off it as well, he’s really stepped up since Guehi left.“
| Maxence Lacroix (Premier League 2025-26) | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Appearances: | 27 |
| Goals: | 1 |
| Asssists: | 2 |
| Interceptions: | 1.3 |
| Tackles per game: | 1.8 |
| Balls recovered per game: | 2.7 |
| Ground duels won: | 2.6 (63%) |
| Aerial duels won: | 3.0 (58%) |
Lacroix is purportedly on £50,000 per week at Selhurst Park, well behind the club’s highest earners. Described by Sky Sports as ‘invaluable, he may soon be expecting a pay rise, given his importance and success since arriving from Wolfsburg in August 2024 for £18m.
Palace and Liverpool both like Ordonez
Signing a Guehi replacement is reportedly one of Palace’s priorities despite Jaydee Canvot’s arrival last summer. The Eagles’ transfer chiefs will be in the market for a new centre-back, and one of those appears to be Club Brugge’s Joel Ordonez.
The 21-year-old is highly sought-after amid a fine spell in Belgium, where his stock has continued to grow this season. He reportedly features on the club’s wishlist alongside Toulouse’s Charlie Cresswell and Lyon’s Ruben Kluivert.
Liverpool are also admirers of the Ecuadorian and were reportedly close to signing him in a £43m deal in January, per Sun Sport. The Reds instead turned to Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes in a £60m deal, and the young Frenchman will arrive at Anfield this summer.
That might work in Palace’s favour should they look to pursue Ordonez. There is a risk of the Merseyside giants still plotting a move for the defender, with Ibrahima Konate’s contract expiring.
