The French defender has become one of the first names on the teamsheet since arriving from VfL Wolfsburg in the summer of 2024 and played a major role in Palace's rise under Oliver Glasner.
L'Équipe reports that Lacroix is already looking ahead to the next stage of his career and is keen to take on a fresh challenge before next season. The report claims the 26-year-old has set his sights on a move away and is preparing for a potential transfer once his international commitments are completed.
That stance is unlikely to go unnoticed across Europe.
Lacroix has been linked with several high-profile clubs over recent months as his performances in the Premier League have continued to attract attention.
Liverpool have been credited with an interest as they assess long-term defensive options. Chelsea and Aston Villa have also been mentioned among the clubs monitoring his situation.
Bayern Munich have been linked as well, with reports in Germany suggesting Vincent Kompany is a strong admirer of the centre-back.
For Crystal Palace, the timing is far from ideal. The club are looking to build on one of the most memorable periods in their history and securing European football has only increased the importance of retaining key players.
Losing Lacroix would leave a significant gap in a defence that has become one of the foundations of Glasner's project.
The defender's contract still runs until 2029, placing Palace in a strong negotiating position if interest develops into formal offers. Any club hoping to prise him away is therefore likely to face a substantial asking price. That could prove decisive as Palace weigh the financial benefits of a major sale against the sporting cost of losing one of their standout performers.
Lacroix has steadily enhanced his reputation since moving to England.
His athleticism, recovery pace and ability to play in an aggressive defensive system have helped him adapt quickly to the demands of the Premier League.
Those qualities have naturally attracted attention from clubs competing for domestic titles and Champions League honours. While no final decision is expected until after the World Cup, the latest developments suggest the player is already considering what comes next.
Whether Crystal Palace can convince him that his future remains in south London may become one of the club's biggest challenges of the summer.
If Lacroix ultimately decides the time is right for a new chapter, Palace could soon find themselves at the centre of one of the transfer window's most significant defensive stories.