Leeds United transfer needs highlighted again as player nears Elland Road exit door

The 2023/24 season was one to forget for Charlie Cresswell. The centre-back started just one Championship match as Leeds United agonisingly missed out on a Premier League return.

Cresswell, who signed a new four-year contract at Elland Road last August, only made seven appearances across all competitions. Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu, Pascal Struijk and Liam Cooper were all ahead of Cresswell in the queue for a centre-back spot. Things have simply not worked out for Cresswell.

Is the homegrown academy prospect part of Daniel Farke's first team plans? The evidence thus far suggests Farke does not believe Cresswell is a long term answer at the back.

Read more: Out-of-favour Leeds United defender 'close' to securing £3.8m transfer to French club

It has emerged in the national media that Cresswell is close to joining French side Toulouse in a £3.8m deal. Cresswell is reportedly booked in for a medical next week. If the deal is completed, it is one that makes a lot of sense.

Cresswell is not a kid anymore. He has reached a stage in his career where he should be playing regular first team football. The likelihood is he will get more opportunities for game time at Toulouse than United.

Cresswell is said to be keen on trying his luck abroad. Maybe a new challenge is just what Cresswell needs to reignite his career.

As for United, player sales are needed to ensure the club continue to remain within the confines of profitability and sustainability (P&S) regulations and £3.8m would represent a good piece of business for a player that has got bags of potential but with still a lot to prove. Selling Cresswell could give Farke more room to manoeuvre in the transfer market.

Should Cresswell depart and Cooper opt not to renew his deal, it will leave Farke with only Struijk and Ampadu to choose from as his centre back options. Rodon returning to Spurs following his impressive loan spell has already left Farke with one major hole to plug in his starting XI.

United will not want to leave themselves short for a long, gruelling season. Defensive additions will be urgently required and Farke must be given some of the proceeds from Cresswell's potential sale to strengthen the squad.