Charlie Cresswell could join Crystal Palace after 'I changed my mind about him from Leeds days'

Charlie Cresswell is keen to make a move to Crystal Palace this summer as he has his sights set on a return to the Premier League.

The 23-year-old left English football when he joined Toulouse from Leeds United in 2024, and has gone from strength to strength since making the move to Ligue 1.

Crystal Palace scouts have been keeping a close eye on his progress and have been impressed by what they've seen, while Pierre Sage is also a big admirer of his.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that a move for Cresswell could be ideal for all parties as Palace aim to strengthen their squad.

The centre-back emerged on Palace's radar after his performances with England at the Under-21 Euros last summer, where he played a key role in the Three Lions' victory.

A return to the Premier League is now believed to be in his sights, and the Eagles could take advantage as part of their plans to back Sage with new recruits this summer.

Could Crystal Palace make a move for Charlie Cresswell?

Brown first told Football Insider in January that Crystal Palace have been tracking Cresswell and have been very impressed by what they have seen since his move to France.

The centre-back has made clear improvements to his game since he was allowed to leave Leeds, having struggled to break into the first-team plans at Elland Road.

He has already played for one South London club during a loan spell with Millwall, and an opportunity to return to the capital is now believed to be his preference.

"Crystal Palace are putting plans in place to strengthen their squad," Brown told Football Insider.

"It's something they will have to do regardless of whether they lose players, and a new centre-back is high on their list because of players they've lost and might be set to lose.

"Charlie Cresswell is somebody who has come up a few times with Palace, and I must admit, when he was at Leeds most of the feeling around him was that he wasn't quite good enough.

"But he's gone over the France, away from the pressure and the spotlight of playing in England, and by all accounts he's done very well and made some big improvements.

"The last time I watched him play was at the Under-21s Euros with England and he was very impressive in that tournament, which I'm sure caught the eye of some clubs.

"Palace will have had scouts watching him closely in France, and it seems they've liked what they've seen over there, and they feel he could bring something to their squad.

"The manager will know all about him as well, having managed in France and come up against him, so there's another angle there.

"He's still young, Cresswell, still only 23 so he's got room to keep developing and Palace believe they are the ideal place for that to happen.

"From the player's point of view, it seems he would be keen to come back to England and to play for Palace, back in the Premier League and in Europe as well.

"He's been away for a couple of years and he will want to test himself at the top level, and a move to Palace would certaintly give him that opportunity."

Which other clubs are interested in Cresswell?

Despite their growing interest and Cresswell's apparent stance, Crystal Palace are not the only club planning to do a deal for the Toulouse centre-back this summer.

Ligue 1 outfit Rennes are believed to be in competition with the Eagles and hope to keep him in France, despite his current preference to return to his home country.

Meanwhile, Brown told Football Insider ahead of the January transfer window that West Ham had been keeping tabs on Cresswell and have been long-term admirers of his.

Palace would have a clear advantage over their London rivals this summer, however, following their relegation to the Championship.

Meanwhile, as Sage's side prepare to compete in the Europa League next season, they believe they have a significant advantage over any rivals in their pursuit.