West Ham United will reportedly look to sign 23-year-old English centre-back Charlie Cresswell from Ligue 1 club Toulouse before the summer transfer window shuts down.
According to a report by The Sun, Charlie Cresswell is the subject of interest from West Ham United. The Hammers are keen on reinforcing their defensive unit by signing a centre-back in the final hours of the summer transfer window. So, the 23-year-old Toulouse defender has emerged as a target for the East London outfit.
West Ham wanted to sign Taylor Harwood-Bellis before Southampton’s asking price of £20 million forced them to look elsewhere. So, Cresswell has emerged as a viable alternative to Harwood-Bellis, with Toulouse demanding around £13 million to part ways with the Englishman in the summer transfer window.
How has Charlie Cresswell fared in Ligue 1?
Charlie Cresswell has established himself as one of the most promising young defenders in Ligue 1 since joining Toulouse from Leeds United last summer. The 23-year-old hit the ground running at Stadium de Toulouse, and he has come leaps and bounds in his 14 months at the French club.
The English defender has made 37 appearances thus far for Toulouse while chipping in with five goals and two assists. Meanwhile, Cresswell’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several well-known clubs. Premier League outfits, in particular, are keen on signing the youngster, with West Ham United plotting a late move for him.
London calling?
West Ham United’s interest in Charlie Cresswell is understandable. The Hammers have been scouring the market for a centre-back throughout the summer transfer window, as Graham Potter’s current options have not been convincing enough during his reign at the East London club.
Several candidates have thus emerged on West Ham’s radar, and the Premier League club chased Taylor Harwood-Bellis for several weeks. However, Southampton’s asking price of £20 million forced West Ham to look elsewhere, with Toulouse prospect Cresswell emerging as a viable alternative.
The Ligue 1 outfit will demand around £13 million to part ways with the 23-year-old Englishman in the final hours of the summer transfer window. It will be interesting to see if Cresswell returns to the Premier League by joining West Ham on deadline day.
