Chelsea step up pursuit for Crystal Palace star Maxence Lacroix as Eagles demand £60m fee – with club chiefs meeting in New York ahead of World Cup final over wantaway defender

Chelsea are working towards agreement on a fee for Maxence Lacroix as Crystal Palace push for £60million.

Palace have been holding out for maximum profit on the France international defender who is ready to leave this window.

Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali and Palace chairman Steve Parish who were in New York for the World Cup final met at the Aman Hotel near Central Park on Sunday.

Chelsea were understood to be offering around £55m but may go to £60m with bonuses as the clubs look to finalise the agreement.

Daily Mail Sport revealed Chelsea had revisited their interest in the 26-year-old early this summer and they are determined to get the defender who cost Palace £18m from Wolfsburg but has been an outstanding performer in the Premier League and Europe.

Lacroix’s potential move to Stamford Bridge comes after Daily Mail Sport reported that Italian side Como are willing to offer £35m for Chelsea centre back Trevoh Chalobah as talks continue over his future.

Chalobah has been on World Cup duty with England and made a fleeting appearance against France on Saturday.

Como had been rebuffed in their opening two proposals for the 27-year-old and are working to meet Chelsea’s valuation with a structured offer.

Inter Milan have also discussed Chalobah as they want two centre backs but Como are hopeful they can conclude a deal for Cesc Fabregas.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers was also due for his medical at Chelsea on Monday after flying back from the World Cup after England’s third-place play-off victory over France.

Daily Mail Sport reported yesterday that Rogers’s former club Middlesbrough will pocket around £20.2million from Morgan Rogers’ £117m transfer to Chelsea, which would represent a record sell-on fee in the Premier League.