Leeds United centre-back Charlie Cresswell was recently linked with 2.Bundesliga team Hannover 96, although the latter instead signed Peterborough defender Josh Knight.
The Leeds team will undergo considerable changes in the coming weeks when the 49ers’ transfer market opens.
Some fringe players, most notably Charlie Cresswell, are likely to be concerned about their futures at Elland Road after failing to make an impact last season.
Hannover scouted Charlie Cresswell but looked elsewhere in the EFL.
This week, German newspaper Bild reported that 2.Bundesliga team Hannover 96 was interested in Cresswell before the summer.
Hannover failed to gain promotion to the first division, although Cresswell was on their shortlist for defensive improvements.
They claim that the 21-year-old’s interest is historic, with contact made, but that it has since dwindled down:
“There was contact with the central defender, but it happened a long time ago. In 2023, the English U21 national player transferred from Millwall to demoted Premier League club Leeds United, where he only appeared five times. He wishes to change, but in Hanover he is no longer a problem.”
Hannover has found a transfer answer elsewhere in the EFL in the form of Peterborough United’s Josh Knight, which is why they are not pursuing Cresswell as strongly.
He bid farewell to Posh on social media on Tuesday, after his move to Hannover was confirmed:
What the study does highlight is Cresswell’s desire to leave Leeds, given his lack of opportunity under Farke in 23/24.
Cresswell may quit Leeds this summer if the bid is right.
Cresswell is unlikely to start many Championship games for Leeds, which will irritate the defender.
He grew up a Leeds supporter, but that shouldn’t detract from the fact that he’s a really talented defender who deserves to play more.
If the bid is appropriate for him, we should consider letting him depart and enabling his career to begin properly.
