Leeds United are wary of a potential financial boost in January following reports that Premier League rivals West Ham are preparing to swoop in for the former Elland Road academy graduate.
A hefty sale fee from a surprise move could provide manager Daniel Farke with a windfall of cash over the winter as Los Blancos aim to maintain their top spot.
Leeds United face surprise and unexpected opportunity
The Athletic reports that West Ham are considering signing Charlie Cresswell as a priority defensive target ahead of the January transfer window.
The 23-year-old central defender moved from Leeds to French side Toulouse in July 2024, and his positive performances in Ligue 1 have prompted the Hammers to begin talks to bring him back to England.
A report from Leeds United News explains how Leeds included a 15% sell-on clause as part of his contract during the summer sale for just £3.8m. Toulouse reportedly value the player at around 25 million euros (approximately 2.2 billion yen), and if a deal goes through, Leeds could earn 3.3 million pounds in January.
Daniel Farke turns Leeds’ season around with formation change
This potential cash injection comes at the perfect time to reflect the club’s fortunes on the pitch.
After a shaky start to the 2025-26 season as pressure mounts on Daniel Farke, Leeds United dramatically turned their season around in December.
The catalyst for his comeback was a bold tactical change in a match against Manchester City in late November.
Farke moved from a traditional set-up to a 3-5-2 formation, further increasing defensive solidity while unlocking the attacking potential of his forwards.
This change resulted in an impressive unbeaten record, highlighted by a win against Chelsea, a draw against Liverpool and a resounding 4-1 win against Crystal Palace.
Key to this resurgence has been the form of striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who seems to have been reinvigorated under the new regime, and the leadership of captain Ethan Ampadu.
Elland Road’s prospects for 2026 have suddenly brightened as the team moves out of the relegation zone and could see an influx of money from the Cresswell deal.
