Leeds can bag cash windfall from Charlie Cresswell's potential return to English football

Leeds United will wonder how they let Charlie Cresswell slip through their fingers.

The academy graduate left Leeds in 2024, joining French outfit Toulouse for £3.8million.

With 14 senior appearances for the Whites under his belt, he departed without making any real waves at Elland Road.

Since then, he has continued to shift through the gears in France, making 66 appearances for Toulouse.

The Violets finished ninth last term, improving on their 10th-place finish a year prior - Cresswell growing in stature throughout.

After he has naturally grabbed the attention of potential suitors, Leeds will be hoping for one outcome after the latest reveal.

Leeds United could benefit as Charlie Creswell news emerges

Of course, Leeds would have loved to see an academy star featuring for the first team in the Premier League.

But the alternative is not the worst, after Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri revealed that Crystal Palace are competing with Stade Rennais for the defender this summer.

It is said that should he leave this summer, a return to England is his priority.

Rennes are also weighing up moves for Wolves defender Yerson Mosquera and Rangers' Emmanuel Fernandez, with Toulouse reportedly wanting around €25million for Cresswell.

With this being around £21.5m, the Whites would benefit, with a clause put into his deal two years ago, meaning they are entitled to 15 per cent of any Toulouse profits made on the defender.

Using the mentioned figures, the French side would be making £17.7m profit, resulting in a windfall of around £2.66m for Leeds, without having to do anything.

Of course, it is not exactly life changing, but it is a small reward for their role in developing Cresswell's talent.

Leeds will have mixed feelings over Cresswell development as windfall emerges

Given the financial difficulty level for Premier League clubs outside the 'top six', some extra pennies are not something Leeds will turn down.

But, they could be feeling some regret, with the fact that he could have been lining up in the top flight for the Whites - allowing them to potentially put him in the shop window, or build a side around him capable of competing.

Instead, they may have to watch on if he becomes a Premier League star for Crystal Palace.

Though on one hand, there will be some pride in seeing an academy graduate reach a high level.

At the time of his emergence, he was hardly going to break into the starting lineup at Elland Road, with the timing just being off.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing in football, and here is another example of exactly that.