VfL Wolfsburg is set to receive up to €9 million from Maxence Lacroix’s move to Chelsea. The French defender leaves Crystal Palace for the Blues, who paid €61 million – their fourth transfer window to top €300 million in spending. Wolfsburg benefits from a release clause agreed when they sold Lacroix to Palace for €18 million last year. As of today (24 July 2026), Wolfsburg are rebuilding in the 2. Bundesliga after finishing 16th in the 2025/26 Bundesliga with just 29 points.

What happened?

Maxence Lacroix is leaving Crystal Palace to join Chelsea. The London club paid €61 million for the 26-year-old centre-back, who will sign a contract until 2032 pending a medical. For Chelsea, this is business as usual: 13 of their signings have cost more than €60 million. Lacroix was a key figure at Palace, winning the FA Cup and Community Shield under former manager Oliver Glasner.

Why Wolfsburg benefits

VfL Wolfsburg sold Lacroix to Crystal Palace for €18 million in 2025. Sky Sport reports that Wolfsburg is entitled to 10–15% of the transfer fee. With the full clause triggered, that could mean up to €9 million for the Niedersachsen club. Even at a standard sell-on rate, Wolfsburg would still pocket at least €4.3 million. The money arrives as the club faces life in the 2. Bundesliga after finishing 16th in the 2025/26 Bundesliga with 29 points.

Lacroix’s journey: From Wolfsburg to Chelsea

Lacroix spent four seasons at VfL Wolfsburg from 2020 to 2024, making 130 Bundesliga appearances. He was sent off six times – twice for two yellow cards and four times with a straight red. Under Glasner, he helped Wolfsburg win the FA Cup and Community Shield. For France, he played three matches at the 2026 World Cup, including the semi-final loss to Spain (0:2) and the third-place playoff against England (4:6).

Palace looks for a replacement – Matsima linked

Crystal Palace now needs to find Lacroix’s successor. Reports link them with Augsburg defender Chrislain Matsima (24), who extended his contract with FC Augsburg until 2030 last November. The Eagles are once again scouting the Bundesliga, having lost Eberechi Eze to Arsenal for €69.3 million last year.

VfL Wolfsburg’s involvement in Lacroix’s transfer keeps the club in the headlines during the window. The Niedersachsen side will use the funds to rebuild for the 2. Bundesliga as the new season approaches.