• France centre-back moves to Blues in £52m transfer

• Stones signs two-year contract with Serie A club

Maxence Lacroix has joined Chelsea from Crystal Palace to become the club’s fifth signing of the summer. The France international, who won the FA Cup and Conference League with Palace, was the Blues’ main defensive target of the window.

Lacroix, 26, signs a six-year deal with Xabi Alonso’s side. “I am really happy to be part of this beautiful club,” said Lacroix, who played three times for France at the World Cup, including in their 6-4 bronze medal match defeat by England.

• Defender left Manchester City on free transfer

• ‘I still feel I have so much to give to a club’

Inter are closing in on signing John Stones as a free transfer after the 32-year-old defender left Manchester City in June.

Inter and their rival Italian club Juventus were interested in Stones before the World Cup and the Nerazzurri are now in pole position to recruit him following his impressive form in England’s run to the semi-finals.

There are young stars and golden oldies available on a free transfer this summer. But which team is stronger?

Goalkeeper
Illan Meslier, aged 26, contract expiring at Leeds United
The goalkeeper joined Leeds as a teenager but departs the Yorkshire club having not made a first-team appearance since March 2025. Meslier was recently seen alone on the Elland Road pitch, seemingly contemplating his departure.

• Injured quartet join Wharton on sidelines

• Tuchel concerned about team’s workload

Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and John Stones have complicated Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup preparations by joining the contingent who have left the squad before England’s friendly against Japan.

Tuchel named an oversized 35-man squad for this month’s camp, with a view to creating competition for places before the final selection for this summer’s finals in Canada, Mexico and the USA is made. Saka and Rice were among a group of 11 players who were allowed to join up late, meaning England played an experimental side when they drew with Uruguay at Wembley on Friday night.