Sources: Crystal Palace battling to sign Charlie Cresswell after rival bid rejected
Crystal Palace are battling to win the race for rising star Charlie Cresswell from Toulouse this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
The Ligue 1 side have already rejected a £19.7million bid from Rennes for the 23-year-old centre-back.
Fulham are also believed to be in the race for the former England Under-21 international, who won the Under-21 European Championships for the second time in 2025.
Cresswell made 29 appearances and scored three goals last season as Toulouse finished ninth in Ligue 1.
Palace are desperate to find a new centre-back after Maxence Lacroix made a £52m move to Chelsea this week.
The Eagles had been in talks to sign Augsburg defender Chrislain Matsima, but talks ended this week after both clubs failed to reach an agreement.
Who is Charlie Cresswell?
Cresswell originally came through Leeds United’s academy and eventually made his first-team debut in the 2020-21 campaign.
After making a handful of appearances in the Premier League in the following season, was sent out to Millwall on loan during the 2022-23 campaign.
In 2024, he then made a surprise move to French outfit Toulouse, where he has quickly become a first-teamer.
In his first two campaigns at the French side, he has helped them achieve two mid-table finishes in Ligue 1, which has increased his stock in the footballing world.
On top of this, his back-to-back Under-21 European Championships with England also saw him impress.
The Three Lions’ victory in 2025 even saw Cresswell get into the Team of the Tournament.
Who else are Crystal Palace looking to sign this summer?
Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown exclusively told Football Insider that Crystal Palace have discussed a potential move for Trevoh Chalobah.
The Eagles were keen to see if the 27-year-old was available during their talks with Chelsea regarding Lacroix’s sale.
Chalobah has previously been a Crystal Palace, and had a successful loan spell during the 2024-25 campaign before he was recalled.
The centre-back was also part of England’s 2026 World Cup squad, and made one appearance as the Three Lions finished third in the tournament.
However, it remains to be seen who Palace will look to bring in this summer as they aim to have a successful Premier League and Europa League campaign.