Exclusive: Crystal Palace Accelerate Move for Toulouse Star Charlie Cresswell

Crystal Palace are accelerating plans to sign Charlie Cresswell, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

Our sources have been told the Palace board were willing to wait until the summer to try and lure the youngster back to England. 

But with Marc Guehi’s £20million transfer to Manchester City earlier this month and a number of other suitors sniffing around the Toulouse centre-back, Palace are poised to act in the final days of the winter window. 

Our sources understand initial contract has already been made by Palace higher-ups. 

The French club have already turned down offers from Brighton and Hove Albion, West Ham United, and Wolfsburg for the former Leeds United defender, with Borussia Dortmund also understood to be preparing a bid. 

And it is understood that Palace are preparing to test the club’s resolve with a €30million bid. 

Toulouse are adamant they do not want to lose the player this window and that they are willing to negotiate in the summer as clubs for all over Europe circle for his services.

But Palace are pushing hard for the 23-year-old’s signature as they look to bolster their squad after a winter of woe.

It is understood the club are also desperately scrambling to source a replacement for wantaway striker Jean-Phillipe Mateta as last season’s FA Cup winners look set to lose another top star with Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur both gunning for the Frenchman this week.

Crystal Palace are also monitoring Manchester City duo John Stones and Nathan Aké following Guéhi’s exit, though Pep Guardiola is reluctant to sanction either departure amid ongoing injury concerns, despite Stones nearing the end of his contract and Aké facing reduced game time.

Highly Wanted

It is understood Brighton are ready to table an improved second bid for Cresswell, whilst West Ham United are also interested in the youngster.

A big-money return to the Premier League will no doubt irk Leeds’ fans, who saw the player sold for a fraction of the price, around £4million, just 18 months ago. 

Since making the move to Ligue 1, Cresswell has made himself a mainstay at the heart of their defence. 

The England U21 international will have two years remaining on his Toulouse deal come the end of the season.