Leeds United have sold Rasmus Kristensen this summer, with no one else departing the club for a fee.
Loans and contracts expiring have been the only other Leeds United exits, with wages saved but no cash flow or PSR to speak of from the perspective of Daniel Farke’s side since Rasmus Kristensen’s sale to Eintracht Frankfurt.
Ahead of the deadline, it’s certain that Leeds will trim the squad further. They will do so to save on wages but also to raise funds where possible as well, albeit that is not the only way to generate much-needed PSR headroom.
One mistake which looks costly in many ways is when Charlie Cresswell was sold for just £4 million to Toulouse. That could be deemed as a mistake by the club after an exceptional year in Ligue 1. However, there have been further developments since.
Charlie Cresswell reacts during EURO U-21 2025 Final between England and Germany.
Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images
Leeds’ 15% Charlie Cresswell sell-on explained amid Borussia Dortmund interest
After departing the club permanently, some Leeds fans believe Cresswell’s sale was a mistake. Many still believe that it is to this day, in spite of a strong core of centre-backs in Jaka Bijol, Pascal Struijk, Joe Rodon, and Sebastiaan Bornauw.
Cresswell had a ‘dream’ of playing for Leeds but Farke didn’t fancy him for most of the first campaign in charge of the club, which led to an exit for the academy graduate.
In spite of that, we recently saw Cresswell thank Leeds for their development of him, even if he has since been developed far more rapidly in Ligue 1. Now, Toulouse want as much as £18 million for Cresswell.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed he can leave Toulouse in recent months of the window. Liverpool are also keeping tabs on Cresswell’s development.
MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES
There has been some Premier League interest in Cresswell from Sunderland, with other reports also believing West Ham are interested in Cresswell. The centre-back’s most concrete interest has since emerged, however.
David Ornstein of The Athletic has confirmed European giants Borussia Dortmund have approached Toulouse over a deal to sign Cresswell. The bid from the Bundesliga outfit for the 23-year-old has been rejected.
Talks are now continuing and Beren Cross has revealed Leeds have a 15% sell-on clause. Dortmund’s interest is the strongest and it could hand Leeds extra cash to play with, especially if that £18 million valuation is met.
Toulouse FC v Paris Saint-Germain FC - Ligue 1 McDonald's
Photo by Sylvain Dionisio ATPImages/Getty Images
Toulouse’s boss waxes lyrical over Charlie Cresswell
Toulouse boss Carlos Martinez Novell has waxed lyrical over Cresswell previously, highlighting Cresswell’s improvement in his overall performance with ‘complete’ displays.
“Charlie Cresswell’s performance? I’m happy he scored,” Novell smiled after the giant defender scored a third goal in just eight games during a 4-0 away win against Angers.
“We’re working hard on set-pieces. Charlie has had many chances to score from set-pieces this season and, today, he scored!
“He played a very complete match and is continually improving. He’s going to keep doing that.”