Crystal Palace can now sign perfect Lacroix replacement – but Leeds United stand in the way
Crystal Palace have been linked with a transfer bid for a centre-back who could replace Maxence Lacroix - but will they win the race to sign him?
Crystal Palace may have a new manager at the helm in the shape of Pierre Sage, but although they need to cater to the needs of a new head coach they haven’t been making too much noise in the transfer window thus far – but new reports suggest that could be about to change.
With Chelsea strongly linked with a bid for France international Maxence Lacroix, Palace are casting around for a replacement and have landed on Toulouse centre-back Charlie Cresswell, according to The Evening Standard, who report that the Eagles have “opened talks” over a potential deal.
It’s a signing that could make a lot of sense for Crystal Palace even if Lacroix stays put – but also a deal which might prove challenging to complete, with other Premier League teams seemingly in the bidding.
Crystal Palace make move for Charlie Cresswell – but could face competition
According to The Evening Standard’s report, Crystal Palace are engaged in discussions with Creswell’s representatives but have yet to start club-to-club talks with Toulouse, for whom the 23-year-old has played since he left Leeds United in 2024. In short, there’s a long way to go before a deal gets done – and that could leave space for other sides to enter the fray.
The Standard suggest that French outfit Rennes are also interested, while TEAMtalk separately suggest that Cresswell’s former club Leeds continue to monitor him with a view to bringing him back to Elland Road. Newly-promoted Coventry City are also alleged to be considering a bid of their own.
Cresswell is supposedly keen to return to England, which could push Rennes out of the picture, but there’s no suggestion that he has a particular club in mind. Palace may be able to offer European football next season, but there’s every chance that a return to Leeds, with whom he spent 11 years, could appeal as well – and there’s always a chance that a club like Coventry could come in with a better contract offer.
As it stands, Palace are the only side reported to have opened negotiations, suggesting that they are in the best position to get a deal done, but given that there is plenty of ground to be covered before a fee can be agreed there is certainly an opportunity for a rival side to make an offer. It’s also unclear as to whether Palace will make a bid if Lacroix ends up staying at Selhurst Park.
Toulouse’s asking price isn’t yet known, although they reportedly rejected a bid worth a little under £20m from Brighton & Hove Albion in January – and Fabrizio Romano claimed just a few weeks ago that the Seagulls remained interested. Palace’s fiercest rivals could also add to the competition in a transfer race that is only just getting started.
Would Charlie Cresswell be an effective replacement for Lacroix?
Replacing Lacroix is certainly going to be a tall order – the Frenchman, who is currently on World Cup duty, was among the best all-round centre-halves in the Premier League next season. Any replacement is liable to be a step down of some kind.
Former England Under-21 international Cresswell certainly has a strong resumé, however, and has developed considerably as a player since leaving Leeds two years ago, particularly in terms of his positioning and reading of the game.
He’s become an extremely reliable presence at the back for Toulouse with the knack of being in the right place at the right time and is particularly strong in the air, winning just under two-thirds of his aerial duels over the past year. Against teams who attack in a direct manner, replacing Lacroix with Cresswell is unlikely to lead to a noticeable drop-off.
Cresswell is less impressive when defending one-on-one, however, and can be turned around by attackers with a quick change of pace and fast feet. If players run at him, he can be somewhat vulnerable.
He’s also perhaps less technically adept and press resistant than Lacroix, although he still provides a very strong base of possession and has a fine passing range which makes him good at sparking quick counter-attacks, something Palace often thrived on during Oliver Glasner’s successful tenure as head coach.
Assuming the transfer fee remains reasonable, then he is likely to be a very fine signing, even if he doesn’t quite have the all-round game of Lacroix or the Frenchman’s frightening turn of speed. The question is whether they can get a deal over the line before one of their prospective rivals shows up and muscles their way in to the negotiations.