Maxence Lacroix has emerged as the latest Bundesliga centre-back to be linked with a move to Chelsea this summer.
According to Max Bielefeld from Sky Deutschland, Chelsea are keeping close tabs on Maxence Lacroix. The club has already initiated talks with the representatives of the Wolfsburg defender, who has recently rejected a new deal at the Volkswagen Arena. The Bundesliga outfit could thus be forced to cash in on their prized asset for just €30 million in the summer.
A product of the FC Sochaux academy that has produced another solid Bundesliga defender and reported Liverpool target Ibrahima Konate, Lacroix has been one of the success stories in the Bundesliga this season.
Joining Wolfsburg for a fee of just €5 million last summer, the Frenchman has emerged as a mainstay in Oliver Glasner’s defensive unit. His partnership alongside John Anthony Brooks have helped the Wolves attain one of the best defensive records in the league as well as sealing Champions League football for next term.
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has already shown a lot of interest in Bundesliga centre-backs since being appointed as the replacement for Frank Lampard earlier this year.
It is hardly surprising as the German had spent a majority of his coaching career in his native country, breaking out at Mainz before spending two years at Dortmund.
As far as Chelsea is concerned, Tuchel has done extremely well to turn the Blues into one of the most solid defensive sides in the Premier League. However, with Thiago Silva in the final phase of his career and Fikayo Tomori facing an uncertain future at the club
Even Kurt Zouma has not quite established himself as a first-team regular, thus accentuating the need for defensive reinforcements in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The west London giants are among the clubs reportedly keeping an eye on French defensive gem Jules Kounde, but are set to face stiff competition from Manchester United and may also have to spend a fortune.
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In Lacroix, Tuchel could find himself a cost-effective alternative for Kounde, as the Chelsea manager continues his search for reinforcements in the defensive unit.
For a fee of just €30 million, the Wolfsburg centre-back could indeed be a bargain given his performances in the Bundesliga this season. The move would make sense especially in the current financial climate where Chelsea simply cannot afford to take too many risks.
