Maxence Lacroix: Chelsea ramp up pursuit for Crystal Palace star as Xabi Alonso rebuild continues

Standard Sport understands the Blues are still keen on landing Lacroix and the situation is escalating after his World Cup campaign with France came to an end.The west London outfit and Palace have held a fresh round of talks over a potential deal, with the Eagles insistent that they will not let him go for a cut price.The 26-year-old played three times for his country during their run to the World Cup semi-finals, including in the 6-4 defeat to England in the third-place play-off in Miami, Florida on Saturday.In demand: Maxence LacroixPAXabi Alonso continues to try and shape the squad in his own image as he embarks on his first managerial chapter in the Premier League. The Spaniard took over the reins from Liam Rosenior at Stamford Bridge, with the latter sacked in April after five consecutive defeats that saw the west Londoners not score a goal.