“SHOCK REPORT: West Ham SLAPPED with INSANE £22M Demand for English Defensive Beast – Club in CRISIS as Rivals Circle and January Transfer WAR Explodes!”
Toulouse reveal asking price as West Ham pursue Charlie Cresswell for January move
Charlie Cresswell was a target for West Ham United during the summer transfer window, but a deal never came to fruition.
Despite that, the English centre-back has retained several admirers within the club’s hierarchy, and a potential January transfer remains a realistic possibility as plans for mid-season reinforcements take shape.
Toulouse set £22m asking price for Cresswell
As reported by The Athletic, Toulouse are seeking a fee in the region of £22 million to sanction Cresswell’s departure this winter.
The French side valued him at around £17.6 million in the summer, but his price has risen following a string of composed and reliable displays in Ligue 1.
West Ham have already held discussions regarding the 23-year-old, although they have yet to submit an official offer.
Even with the increased valuation, the Hammers remain firmly interested in bringing the Preston-born defender to the London Stadium.
Club scouts have closely monitored his development throughout the season, and the belief is that a move could progress quickly once the January window opens.
Although Cresswell is settled in France, he is conscious that returning to the Premier League would bolster his chances of breaking into the England national team setup.
Praise for a rising Premier League target
Cresswell’s reputation has been steadily growing. During his loan spell at Millwall in 2023, he earned high praise from then-manager Gary Rowett.
The young defender not only delivered commanding performances at the back, but also chipped in with five goals, playing a significant role in Millwall’s push for the Championship playoffs. Rowett lauded him, saying: “He’s been outstanding.
He’s shown real calm authority and consistency. I’ve said throughout that he’s going to be a top player, but he’s not far off that now.”
At Toulouse, manager Carles Martinez Novell has also been vocal about his admiration for Cresswell, particularly highlighting his aerial strength and warrior-like mentality.
Novell’s words summed up the defender’s impact succinctly: “He’s a true warrior. I adore him.”
Why West Ham are pushing
Nuno Espírito Santo is expected to prioritise defensive reinforcements in January, especially with both Konstantinos Mavropanos and Max Kilman struggling for consistency this season.
Cresswell’s attitude, physicality, and upward trajectory make him an appealing option.
While the £22m price tag could pose a challenge, West Ham may explore the possibility of including a player in the deal to reduce the overall fee and edge closer to securing one of their top defensive targets.
