West Ham ‘set sights’ on signing Charlie Cresswell after transfer mission
West Ham are plotting a move to sign Toulouse centre-back Charlie Cresswell as Nuno Espirito Santo plans to land a new centre-back.
That is according to former West Ham and Man United senior scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected at his former clubs, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 23-year-old is “certainly” on the Hammers’ radar ahead of the January transfer window.
West Ham considered signing Cresswell during the summer but missed out on their late-window swoop and instead he remained at Toulouse.
The centre-back left Leeds United for the French club in 2024, and has since established himself among their most important and consistently impressive players.
Cresswell also represented England at the Under-21 Euros during the summer and played a key role in the heart of the back four as they successfully defended their crown.
West Ham keeping tabs on Charlie Cresswell for Toulouse
Matt Le Tissier warned Football Insider on 29 October that West Ham are too weak at centre-back after what has been a dismal start to the season in East London.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that scouts have been keeping tabs on Cresswell’s displays with a January move in mind.
“Cresswell is certainly somebody who West Ham are looking at,” he told Football Insider.
“They’ll have scouts watching his performances over in France and assessing what he can do and what he would bring to their team if they brought him in.
“I watched him a few times at Leeds and thought he was a decent player, nothing special but a solid centre-back who did what was required of him.
“But he was a mainstay in the England Under-21 team and made that move to the French league.
“That’s okay and it’s proved to be a good move for him, he’s been able to play an important role and develop his game over there with playing time.
“I still think there are a few questions about whether he can do it in the Premier League, but the interest is there so maybe he’ll get a chance to prove himself.
“He’s certainly somebody West Ham have been looking at, so we’ll wait and see what happens. I’m sure they’re not the only ones looking at him.”
West Ham will face competition in Cresswell pursuit
Brown told Football Insider in July that Sunderland were interested in signing Cresswell after sending scouts to watch him at the Under-21 Euros.
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 after what proved to be a busy summer leading to a strong start to the season at the Stadium of Light.
However, West Ham remain determined to strengthen their defensive unit amid ongoing concerns about the likes of Max Killman and Jean-Clair Todibo.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider that West Ham must prioritise centre-back additions as their current options have not been deemed good enough.
For more West Ham and exclusive news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.