Crystal Palace are set to miss out on Charlie Cresswell after Rennes reached an agreement with Toulouse for the defender.
Cresswell had been under consideration following Maxence Lacroix’s Chelsea exit, but Rennes have now moved decisively to secure the 23-year-old.
According to Get French Football News, citing Ouest-France, Rennes have agreed a deal worth close to €25million with Toulouse.
Cresswell had already reached an agreement over personal terms with the Ligue 1 club, leaving the transfer close to completion.
Palace had been monitoring the former Leeds United defender as Pierre Sage searches for additions following Lacroix’s £52m move to Chelsea.
Charlie Cresswell Crystal Palace move slips away
Palace’s interest dated back several weeks. ReadCrystalPalace previously reported that the Eagles had opened talks with Cresswell’s representatives, with the defender understood to favour a Premier League return at that stage.
Rennes have now taken control of the situation.
Their agreement represents a substantial investment in a player who has developed considerably since leaving Leeds for Toulouse in 2024.
Cresswell has become a regular in Ligue 1 and was part of England’s European Under-21 Championship-winning squad in 2025.
Palace must now move towards another defensive option unless there is a dramatic late change.
Raphael Le Guen remains on their radar, while Axel Disasi has also emerged as a potential loan target from Chelsea.
With Lacroix already gone, Sage will want another centre-back through the door quickly rather than allow Palace to enter the season short of senior defensive options.
