Charlie Cresswell has reached an agreement on personal terms with Stade Rennais, according to reports from French outlet Ouest-France. The Toulouse FC centre-back, who previously played for Leeds United, is now positioned for a move within Ligue 1 despite strong interest from the Premier League.
Crystal Palace maintain a firm interest in the 23-year-old England youth international. The south London club view Cresswell as a potential candidate to fill the void that would be left by Maxence Lacroix, who has emerged as a target for Chelsea. However, Rennes have gained a crucial advantage by securing the player’s agreement ahead of formal negotiations between the two French clubs.
The Brittany outfit, which will return to European competition next season, can offer Cresswell continental football at Roazhon Park. This factor may prove decisive in the defender’s thinking unless Palace can persuade him to wait for an opportunity in England.
The primary obstacle remains the transfer fee. Toulouse are demanding approximately €25 million for the defender, a significant valuation that reflects the club’s strategy to generate substantial income through player sales this summer. Le TéFéCé, as Toulouse are known, have set this figure as the baseline for any departure.
Cresswell departed Leeds United in 2024 to join Toulouse. Since moving to France, the centre-back has thrived, enhancing his reputation sufficiently to draw attention from clubs across Europe. His development has marked him as one of the division’s notable defensive prospects.
With personal terms now agreed between Cresswell and Rennes, the focus shifts to whether the clubs can compromise on the fee. Crystal Palace retain the capacity to intervene should negotiations stall, but Rennes currently hold the initiative in this developing transfer saga.