Report: Liverpool turn attention to £18m PL centre-back signing after Schlotterbeck opts to stay at Dortmund
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Liverpool are on the hunt for a new centre-back this summer, with Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix reportedly now in their sights.The Reds are set to lose Ibrahima Konate on a free transfer, and though Jeremy Jacquet has already been signed, another more senior option is likely to be needed.Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck had been named as a target, along with Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni. But with doubts emerging over the availability of either player, TeamTALK report that Lacroix is now on Liverpool‘s list.
How many points do you think Liverpool will finish with this season? It's going to be a LOT less than last year 😬 Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images Liverpool keen on Maxence LacroixWith Schlotterbeck set to sign a new contract at Dortmund and news emerging that Barcelona are serious about Bastoni, Liverpool may need to revise their options for a new centre-back.This is reportedly where Lacroix comes in, with TeamTALK claiming that the 25-year-old’s good form for Palace has started to earn him admirers at Anfield.Liverpool are seemingly not the only club interested, with Chelsea, Aston Villa and Bayern Munich also said to be ‘tracking his progress.’READ MORE: How Liverpool can sign Khephren Thuram from Juventus this summerPhoto by FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty ImagesLacroix’s good form has also seen him called into the France national team squad, for whom he made his debut during Thursday’s win over Brazil.Palace are said to be ‘braced’ for interest in their centre-back, who was key in the club’s FA Cup win last season.Analysis: Liverpool could use Lacroix’s paceLiverpool were initially linked with Lacroix before he joined Palace in 2024.Since then, the former Wolfsburg defender has progressed nicely, developing into a very good Premier League defender and now a fully-fledged France international.
You can only pick ONE player for Liverpool to sign this summer, who is it? Who should Richard Hughes be targeting above all… Photo Credit: Getty Images/Robin Jones It remains to be seen what kind of fee Crystal Palace would be expecting to sell Lacroix, but for the level he is at, he could be a shrewd signing for Liverpool to rotate with Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni.One real plus point about Lacroix is his pace, and as PremierLeague.com noted earlier this week, the defender has actually clocked in a quicker speed than former Liverpool target Antoine Semenyo this season.Reaching a top speed of 35.9km/h during January’s match against Newcastle, Lacroix has statistically been the Eagles’ fastest player in 2025/26.Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox