Fabrizio Romano issues Crystal Palace' here we go' as medical booked for transfer 'priority'

Crystal Palace are said to have all-but completed a deal to land their Joachim Andersen replacement with only a medical needing to be completed. The Eagles head into the final two days of the summer transfer window needing to make a number of signings having sold a number of key players this summer.

Centre-back is of particular concern with Andersen having left for Fulham on a deal worth around £27million, while Marc Guehi could yet leave for Newcastle United on a £65million deal. With the Guehi situation still in the balance, Palace’s priority is replacing Andersen for now, and they look to have landed their man ahead of Friday night’s deadline, or at least pending a medical.

Wolfsburg’s Maxence Lacroix quickly emerged as Oliver Glasner’s priority, with the pair having previously worked together at the German club. Palace saw an early bid worth £14million rejected, but they are now set to have agreed a deal worth £18million.

Transfer ‘insider’ Fabrizio Romano has tweeted: “Maxence Lacroix to Crystal Palace, story confirmed and here we go! All documents are approved by #CPFC and Wolfsburg, fee around £18m. He’s always been the #1 target for Glasner to replace Andersen. Medical in London in the next 24h.”

Lacroix has made 111 league appearances for Wolfsburg since 2020 when he joined from Sochaux. He is a former France youth international, representing his club at under-20s level. The 24-year-old centre-back now looks likely to land at Selhurst Park, with the deal almost done ahead of the deadline.

Attention will then turn to other deals, with Eddie Nketiah said to be likely to arrive from Arsenal, while Palace will be battling to either keep hold of Guehi or to maximise their profit and ensure they can quickly replace their star centre-back given the proximity to the end of the window.