A German club has held conversations with one Leeds United player about a potential summer transfer, but the deal is now dead, despite the star’s desire to depart.
While a firesale may be an overstatement to describe Leeds’ outgoings over the next several months, Paraag Marathe has indicated that the club would sell players in order to raise much-needed funds.
Andrea Radrizzani left behind a large credit card bill for the 49ers. While Marathe was on the board at the time these signings were made, relegation has left Leeds financially tight.
This implies players will have to be sold this summer. Crysencio Summerville has many admirers, with a move to Brighton being the most recent rumour, while heavyweights Inter Milan have been connected with Willy Gnonto.
Ilia Gruev, Archie Gray, and many others have been connected with moves this summer. Another is Charlie Cresswell, 21, who has had a disappointing season at Elland Road since returning from a loan at Millwall.
German club in discussions to recruit Leeds player Charlie Cresswell
The England U21 star dazzled in London, scoring five goals. He signed a new contract with Leeds, expecting to be first choice during the 2023-24 season, however he only appeared seven times.
Over the weekend, German teams Hannover and Hertha Berlin, as well as Ligue 1 club Toulouse, were connected with a deal for Cresswell, who is valued at £3 million. Bild, a German news outlet, has issued a new update.
They believe the “brilliant” defender is desperate to leave Leeds, and Hannover, a second-tier German club, had held talks to sign Cresswell, but that was a long time ago and a move is no longer possible.
Cresswell received the poorest Leeds grade in our season evaluation.
Cresswell has had a disappointing season despite returning to Elland Road with high hopes last summer. But things couldn’t have been any worse for the centre-back in 2023-24.
Cresswell received the lowest season rating from LeedsUnited.News, scoring 1/10. The only way it could have gotten any worse for the Thorp Arch academy product was if he had played fewer than seven games.
He retains a talent and is easily good enough for most Championship clubs, but a move elsewhere is equally plausible at this point. What is important is that he leave Leeds in the coming weeks and months.
