The latest Sunderland AFC transfer news has seen Charlie Cresswell break his silence after links with a move to the Stadium of Light this summer.
Sunderland were among the many Premier League clubs linked with a move for Charlie Cresswell this summer.
Sunderland were among the many Premier League clubs linked with a move for Charlie Cresswell this summer.
Charlie Cresswell says he didn't need convincing to stay at Toulouse this summer despite reported interest from Sunderland and West Ham United.
The talented England youth international, 23, enjoyed a stellar U21s European Championship having starred for Lee Carsley's Three Lions on their route to the final. Cresswell was, also, part of the starting XI that beat Germany in the showpiece and retained their European crown.
The 23-year-old, who joined the Ligue 1 side from Leeds United in a deal reportedly worth €4.5m (£3.89m) deal last summer, made 37 appearances in all competitions for the French outfit.
The Black Cats were in the market for a new centre-back this summer, with Cresswell among those to be linked with a transfer to the Stadium of Light. Premier League rivals West Ham are said to have also been in that mix to sign the England youth international, although a deal would not come to fruition.
"That's the life of a footballer during the transfer window... I've heard about this interest, which came from several places in Europe," Cresswell told La Depeche.
"I tried not to pay too much attention to it, and to stay focused on what I'm doing here in Toulouse: training hard, giving my all. In the end, I'm still here, and that's a good thing.
"I don't want to go into detail about what happened during the transfer window - but I can tell you that I didn't need any convincing to stay. I had a great season, I met some great people, both at the club and outside.
"Last season, I felt like I was improving every week, right up until the summer and winning the European Under-21 Championship with England, which was one of the greatest experiences of my life."
Instead, Sunderland would sign Omar Alderete, Lutsharel Geertruida, Nordi Mukiele, Reinoldo and Arthur Masuaku as they bolstered their back-line.
Regis Le Bris has a number of options in the heart of defence - and also handed defender Luke O'Nien a new deal this summer to extend his stay with the Wearsiders.
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