---
title: "Crystal Palace defensive target closes in on €25m Rennes move"
canonical: "https://readcrystalpalace.com/2026/08/01/crystal-palace-defensive-target-closes-in-on-e25m-rennes-move/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
section: "Crystal Palace News"
published: "2026-08-01T11:45:00Z"
modified: "2026-08-01T11:45:00Z"
---

# Crystal Palace defensive target closes in on €25m Rennes move

**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](https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2026/rennes-reach-e25m-agreement-with-toulouse-to-sign-crystal-palace-target-charlie-cresswell/), 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.

> Rennes have reached an agreement with Toulouse to sign Charlie Cresswell (23); the English centre-back was reportedly a target for both Fulham and Crystal Palace. (O-F)[https://t.co/wI3LuKcph7](https://t.co/wI3LuKcph7)
>
> — Get French Football News (@GFFN) [August 1, 2026](https://x.com/GFFN/status/2083467772709761467?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## 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](https://readcrystalpalace.com/2026/06/29/crystal-palace-transfer-news-cresswell-lacroix/), 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.