‘Sunderland plot move to sign Charlie Cresswell after transfer mission’
Sunderland are plotting a move to sign Toulouse centre-back Charlie Cresswell in the summer transfer window, according to their former chief scout.
Mick Brown, who also worked as the chief scout at Man United and Blackburn and remains very well-connected at his former clubs, exclusively told Football Insider that the Black Cats sent scouts to watch the 22-year-old for England Under-21s.
Cresswell played a key role in Lee Carsley’s starting XI as England lifted the Under-21 Euros, and is now being eyed for a move to the Premier League.
The defender left Leeds United to join Toulouse in a move worth just £3.8million in the summer of 2024 and is now expected to cost at least double that fee.
Regis Le Bris is determined to add to his squad this summer and has already landed five new signings, with more on their radar at the Stadium of Light.
This comes after Football Insider revealed on 29 May Sunderland’s hierarchy would make “big” funds available for a summer overhaul following their promotion.
Sunderland plot move to sign Charlie Cresswell
Football Insider revealed on 1 July that Sunderland are in the market for major signings, with a goalkeeper, centre-mid and striker all on their radar.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has explained the opportunity to sign Cresswell has put the Black Cats’ recruitment team on alert.
“Sunderland have been looking at Charlie Cresswell,” he told Football Insider.
“They had scouts at the Under-21 Euros and from what I hear they were impressed by what they saw.
“A lot of clubs had scouts at that tournament, so I expect a lot of the star players there will be in line to change clubs over the summer.
“It’s easy to get sucked in by a player’s performances at an international tournament.
“It used to be one of my golden rules, not to sign players off the back of a tournament.
“But that doesn’t stop you having a look, and it seems a lot of these clubs including Sunderland like what they’ve seen of him over there.
“Of course, they’ll be aware of him from his time in England too.
“He only left Leeds last year, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see him come back to the Premier League.
“It will probably be for at least double what he left for, though, because that’s how these things work when you have Premier League clubs battling for a deal.”
Black Cats race Leeds to sign Sam Johnstone
Alongside their efforts to sign Cresswell, Sunderland are aiming to sign Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone to ease their concerns between the sticks.
Brown told Football Insider on 8 July that Sunderland want to sign Johnstone after missing out on a deal to sign Marcin Bulka, who instead joined SC Neom.
The goalkeeper made just seven Premier League appearances at Molineux after his £10million move from Crystal Palace last year, and wants to play more regular football.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider in May that Johnstone is ready to leave Wolves in this summer’s transfer window amid interest from Leeds United.
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