Liverpool Set to Battle Premier League Rivals in the Race to Sign 23-year-old Defender
English centre backs performing abroad have become a growing recruitment trend for Premier League clubs, and Charlie Cresswell’s emergence at Toulouse FC places him firmly in that bracket. As reported by Sport, Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester City are all monitoring the 23-year-old defender, whose consistency and physical profile make him a compelling winter window target.
Defensive Profile Drawing Major Interest
Cresswell has been crucial part of Toulouse’s squad. Sport also note that “reading of the game, his solidity in duels and his aerial efficiency” are attributes “highly sought after in England”, a point that feels increasingly accurate given the Premier League’s renewed focus on defenders who can dominate transitions and manage direct duels.
His output this season adds further weight to his development arc. With three goals in 16 Ligue 1 games.
Transfer Value and Contract Strength
Sport’s valuation detail is important: “Cresswell is valued at €25 million by the Toulouse club” and his contract running to June 2028 means interested clubs will not be negotiating from a position of leverage. This places him in a mid market tier, too expensive to be a speculative punt, but still below the premium fee range now attached to elite centre backs.
Liverpool and Newcastle “are not alone in the matter”, with City also showing interest, which signals that the defender’s profile is beginning to resonate at the top end of the league. However, it is worth noting that interest does not equal intent, and recruitment strategy, squad needs and financial timing will ultimately determine which clubs progress from tracking to bidding.
Our View – Anfield Index Analysis
This report from Sport lands at a time when Liverpool’s defensive needs feel impossible to ignore. With Giovanni Leoni out for the season after an ACL injury on his debut in September, and Joe Gomez battling recurring fitness issues, the squad has been stretched far more than expected. Arne Slot’s debut campaign ended in a Premier League title, but the defence of that crown has been underwhelming, Liverpool sit 4th in the league, and the gap between promise and execution has been most visible when rotation has been required at centre back.
Charlie Cresswell’s profile makes obvious sense. Liverpool need a centre back who can play now, not a long term project. His aerial dominance, duel strength, and game intelligence are precisely the traits that suit the league and the club’s tactical demands. A defender contributing 3 goals in 16 Ligue 1 games also speaks to the added value Liverpool seek in both boxes, they have missed goals from defensive set pieces this season.
The €25m valuation is fair for a player entering his prime years, with Premier League athletic traits, senior minutes in a top five European league, and a contract until 2028. The price reflects readiness, not potential, and that is exactly the bracket Liverpool should be shopping in right now. This season has shown that the club cannot gamble on availability, defensive depth must be increased.
Newcastle and City watching him is no surprise, but Liverpool’s need is greater. They cannot wait for summer, they need defensive reinforcement now, someone reliable, durable, physical, and tactically sharp. Cresswell fits the mould, the question is whether Liverpool will act with the decisiveness the window demands. The tracking phase must become the bidding phase, Liverpool’s defence and title trajectory depend on it.
