Blackburn ready 'surprise' move to sign Leeds United defender Charlie Cresswell with January cash bids on the cards

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Published on:

01 Jan 2024, 1:40 am

Blackburn Rovers are set for a "surprise move" for Leeds United defender Charlie Cresswell amid interest from Championship clubs, according to Alan Nixon.

The Sun journalist reported via his Patreon [31 December] that the Rovers join Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town in the race for the 21-year-old defender, who has fallen down the pecking order under Daniel Farke.

It is understood that the Championship outfit are targeting Cresswell and Crewe Alexandre's Connor O'Riordan, preparing to cash in on the highly-rated Hayden Carter.

All clubs are interested in a loan move but could be open to a permanent move if Leeds' price is right.

Much-needed move

Cresswell is well-deserving of a spot in a Championship starting XI, especially considering his successful loan spell at Millwall last season. The defender made 30 appearances across all competitions.

This led to the Leeds prospect signing a new four-year deal with the Whites but has since slipped down the pecking order at Elland Road. He has been exiled from the squad for 14 of Leeds' Championship fixtures so far and will be frustrated with his number of minutes on the pitch.

The youngster is unlikely to replace Joe Rodon or Pascal Struijk in the defensive partnership, and with the experienced Liam Cooper to call upon, Cresswell has barely had a look-in. It may be time to cash in on him.

But, it could seem like a silly decision to let the youngster go permanently, with Rodon's future up in the air. The Welshman is only on loan at the club from Tottenham Hotspur and may not return to Elland Road if the asking price is too high.

This would give Cresswell a direct route into Leeds' first team but it may be too late come the start of next season. He may be long gone by that point, leaving the Whites with a gap in defence.

A loan move to Blackburn in January currently seems like the ideal story for all parties. But the Rovers might be tempted to splash the cash on a talented centre-back as they are the second-leakiest defence in the division this season.

In other Leeds United news, Gary Rowett has admitted that he is “fed up” following a controversial call in the Whites clash with West Brom

Leeds United

Charlie Cresswell

Blackburn Rovers