(Credit: Imago)

Daniel Davis

Thu 2 April 2026 8:10, UK

Leeds United are set to watch Charlie Cresswell secure a big move this summer.

Cresswell has caught the eye since leaving Elland Road for Ligue 1 club Toulouse in July 2024, but was allowed to move on for a reported fee of just £3.8million.

He had barely featured under Daniel Farke in the 2023-24 campaign, making just five Championship appearances as the Whites missed out on Premier League promotion.

But that did not justify the club’s decision to let him slip through their fingers for mere pennies, and now, almost two years on, they are likely to be counting the cost again.

That is because Leeds will bank at least some of the money if Cresswell leaves Toulouse, but it should have been more. It certainly won’t be enough to finance a transfer splurge.

What is Leeds’ Charlie Cresswell sell-on?

Cresswell has 60 appearances for Toulouse and cemented his spot in the starting XI.

Just this season, he has played 24 times in Ligue 1, recording over 2,100 minutes, while he also has five goal contributions to his name – consisting of three goals and one assist.

Clearly, his switch has paid off handsomely, and he looks ready to take the next step in his blossoming career. That could very well be in the Premier League, judging by recent reports.

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, speaking to The United Stand, Manchester United are watching Cresswell and have shortlisted him, a brutal prospect for Whites supporters.

West Ham, Newcastle, Brighton and Crystal Palace have also been linked with the stalwart.

It would be in Leeds’ best interests for Cresswell to secure a high price, with their sell-on clause entitling them to 15 per cent of the profit above what they sold him for.

That is not nearly enough, especially after comparisons between Cresswell and Virgil van Dijk. As it stands, the former has a market value of £21.7m, according to Transfermarkt.

Daniel Farke must take the blame

Leeds will be sorely regretting not allowing the defender to realise his potential at Elland Road, having awarded him just 14 senior appearances.

That spoke volumes about Farke’s lack of faith in the youngster, with the German head coach refusing to start him ahead of Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk.

He also took a thinly-veiled dig at Cresswell, insisting he would not be selected until he was mentally prepared to fight for his place at the heart of his backline.

Unfortunately, that effectively left the player with just one option, and he has gone on to reap the rewards of his gamble in France. To this day, his former club are still paying the price.

Farke is heavily responsible and must shoulder the blame for this costly mistake.