Crystal Palace are pursuing Brest centre-back Raphael le Guen, with the 19-year-old emerging as a transfer target as the club braces for the likely departure of Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea.

Le Guen broke into the Brest first team during the 2025-26 season, accumulating six Ligue 1 appearances. Crucially, he started the final four matches of the campaign — fixtures that included clashes against Paris St-Germain and Strasbourg — signalling the faith the club places in the teenager.

French pipeline bearing fruit at Selhurst Park

Palace have developed a productive route for sourcing young defensive talent from France. Last season, they brought in 19-year-old Jaydee Canvot from Toulouse, and the move has paid dividends. Canvot stepped up following the exit of club captain Marc Guehi and has established himself as a regular in the backline.

Le Guen would follow a similar path, joining an environment shaped increasingly by French footballing influence — none more prominent than head coach Pierre Sage, appointed at Selhurst Park earlier this summer.

Matsima also in the frame

Palace are not limiting their options to Le Guen alone. The club are also monitoring Augsburg defender Chrislain Matsima, 24, as another potential solution to the gap Lacroix's exit would leave. Matsima, a former France youth international, is reportedly open to the move and would welcome the opportunity to work under Sage, his compatriot.

With defensive reinforcements a clear priority, Palace appear to be casting a deliberate eye over France's talent pool as they reshape their backline for the season ahead.