Leeds United in line for windfall thanks to transfer news coming out of West Ham
It’s certainly been a quiet transfer window for Leeds.
Leeds managed to welcome 10 new arrivals to Elland Road this summer, although they have failed to add to their ranks in January so far.
Along with Man United, they are the only club that hasn’t sold or signed anyone in the top flight, and fans are growing frustrated at the lack of transfer activity under Paraag Marathe.
Daniel Farke needs more to work with in LS11, but Leeds could be in for some luck as they are set to earn a large sum of money from one of their former players.
Charlie Cresswell faces interest from West Ham and Wolfsburg
Charlie Cresswell joined French side Toulouse for £3.8million in July 2024 and has thrived when playing week in, week out.
West Ham were interested in Cresswell during the summer, but only offered £13m despite the French club asking for £17m.
The Hammers aren’t in pole position to sign him now, although they could help drive his price up if they engage in a bidding war.
According to Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenburg, Wolfsburg are the frontrunners to secure his signature, and concrete negotiations have started.
The Yorkshire Post has reported that Leeds could receive a cash boost this month if Cresswell is sold by Toulouse.
Leeds included a 15 per cent sell-on clause in the deal when selling Cresswell to Toulouse.
Therefore, they are entitled to 15 per cent of any future profit Toulouse makes on his transfer, which could yield a significant windfall for the club.
If Wolfsburg do buy him for the asking price of £17million, then Leeds would secure a sum of £1.98m due to the sell-on clause, although this could rise even higher depending on how the negotiations pan out.
The centre-back left Elland Road in search of regular game time, and he has since made 48 Ligue 1 appearances in 18 months.
Charlie Cresswell has developed remarkably since leaving Leeds
He has played every minute in the league this season and tops several impressive stats.
In the final third, he has the most, or joint-most, goals (3), expected goals (2.16), and shots (21) of any other centre-back in Ligue 1.
From a defensive aspect, he has also won the most ground duels (102) and aerial duels (74) of any other centre-back in Ligue 1.
Having gone on loan to Millwall in 2023-24, Cresswell gained his first real taste of senior football, scoring four goals and playing a key part of the team that finished eighth in the league.
| Club | Appearances |
| Leeds (2020-2022) | 7 |
| Millwall (2022-23) | 30 |
| Leeds (2023-24) | 7 |
| Toulouse (2024 – present) | 52 |
He won the U21 European Championship twice with England in 2023 and 2025, and was a member of the Leeds U23 side that won the Premier League 2 trophy in 2020-21.
Now, with experience under his belt in France, he could be set for the first big move of his career.
The Whites will certainly benefit from Cresswell’s future sale, and they may even find it was a mistake to sell him in the first place.