Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix has been the subject of significant transfer speculation this summer, with reports linking both Chelsea and Arsenal to the French center back. But according to Football365, transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano has pushed back on suggestions that Arsenal are actively pursuing him.
Romano said, "For Lacroix, Chelsea remain in absolutely active and concrete talks with Crystal Palace." He added, "All parties involved are talking, the ownership, agents of the player… I'm told that reports over the weekend of Arsenal getting involved at the moment are not true."
Romano was direct about where Lacroix's focus lies. "If Arsenal will jump into it, I'll let you know, but at the moment the player is fully focused on joining Chelsea," he said.
Lacroix had a strong season with Crystal Palace, helping the club win the Europa Conference League. At the international level, he has regularly filled in for Arsenal's William Saliba in the France national team and has also been selected ahead of Ibrahima Konate, a sign of the confidence coaches have placed in him.
Multiple reports had named Arsenal as one of the defender's leading suitors for the summer window, with the club looking to add depth at the back. Chelsea are also in the market for defensive reinforcements, setting up what looked like a potential transfer battle between the two London clubs. Romano's comments suggest, for now at least, that battle is largely one-sided.
The transfer window remains open, and the situation could shift before it closes.
