Charlie Cresswell is the subject of a four-way tug-of-war between Premier League rivals ahead of next Monday’s transfer deadline.
The former Leeds United defender has spent the last 18 months in Ligue 1 with Toulouse, and has impressed playing regularly in France.
Now Brighton, Crystal Palace, Tottenham and West Ham are all reportedly vying to bring him back to England.
Toulouse Reject Offers For Charlie Cresswell
It’s suggested that Toulouse have already rejected two offers for Cresswell this month, including a €25million bid from Brighton.
The other offer is from Bundesliga side Wolfsburg.
Toulouse want to keep Cresswell at least until the end of the season and they have the added security knowing he has a contract with the club until the summer of 2028.
Brighton are aiming to bolster their backline with youth as they look towards the future without 34-year-old Lewis Dunk.
Adam Webster is also out for the season with an ACL injury, while Diego Coppola has barely featured since his £10million arrival in the summer.
Who Will Charlie Cresswell Join?
Crystal Palace need a new central defender after losing Marc Guehi to Manchester City earlier this month.
Oliver Glasner’s side have the cash, particularly with Jean-Philippe Mateta expected to join Nottingham Forest, and could make their move this month given their necessity.
He would likely slot straight into the side and allow himself to become a regular at the back for the Eagles.
However, their run of 11 games without a victory and Glasner’s impending departure at the end of the season may play a factor in his decision.
Gareth Southgate is the current favourite to become the next Crystal Palace manager.
It’s not too dissimilar at Tottenham, where Thomas Frank is the second favourite in the Premier League sack race.
Spurs have been leaky at the back, and while the manager prefers to play with a back three, they remain short of viable options.
West Ham’s serious threat of relegation to the Championship is likely to have Cresswell thinking twice about moving to London.
Toulouse Sporting Director Hints At Sale
Toulouse are currently eighth in Ligue 1 and are fighting for sixth spot, which will see them qualify for the Europa Conference League qualifiers.
However, the club’s Sporting Director Viktor Bezhani said the club would consider his sale at the right price.
He said: “We are delighted by the amount of interest in our players. It shows that we are doing good things and that the rest of Europe is watching us. It isn’t a secret—if a good offer arrives, we’ll have a look at it.”
