Crystal Palace are preparing a new contract offer for Maxence Lacroix that would see the 26-year-old’s salary increase to £100,000-a-week, according to a report from TEAMtalk. The South London club intends to reward the central defender’s form and secure his market value at £50m following interest from Liverpool and Chelsea. This move to double his existing £50,000-a-week wages comes as European qualification and domestic silverware have increased the profile of Oliver Glasner's key squad members.
Palace move to protect £50m valuation
Lacroix has emerged as a high-value asset for Palace since his arrival, with his performances earning him a place in Didier Deschamps' France squad for the 2026 World Cup. Sources suggest that Chelsea and Liverpool are primary admirers of the centre-back, with the former identifying him as a potential recruit should Xabi Alonso take the helm at Stamford Bridge. By offering a salary that reflects his status as an international, Palace are following a established retention strategy previously applied to Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze. The club recently demonstrated their firm stance on valuations when allowing Eze to join Arsenal in August 2025 only after a package totalling £67.5m was agreed.
Strategic squad stability under Glasner
The contract offer arrives during a period of unprecedented success for Crystal Palace, who are preparing for the UEFA Europa Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano on 27 May. Sustaining this momentum requires fending off multiple suitors for their core, as midfielder Adam Wharton is also attracting interest from Manchester United and Liverpool with a reported £70m price tag. For Glasner, retaining Lacroix is a tactical necessity to maintain the stability that secured the 2025 FA Cup. The Frenchman’s presence has been a constant in a defensive unit that has transitioned the club from mid-table regulars to genuine European competitors, and the proposed deal aims to ensure any potential exit happens only on terms dictated by the Selhurst Park hierarchy.
With the 2026 World Cup approaching, Palace expect these negotiations to conclude before Lacroix joins the France camp.