Southampton are now showing interest in Leeds United defender Charlie Cresswell ahead of January – with the centre-back struggling to get any game time at Elland Road under Daniel Farke.
Cresswell, 21, has only managed to play in four Championship games this season, of a possible 20. The England U21 star, has only started once – after signing a new contract in the summer at Elland Road.
Come January, it looks more than likely that Cresswell will be looking to leave. A report this morning from The Athletic states that Farke has made it clear to Cresswell he will be expected to remain, though.
But, Nixon says Southampton are showing interest – as they look to partner Cresswell with his England U21 teammate Taylor Harwood-Bellis in the middle of defence. They want Cresswell on loan in January.
A previous report from Nixon says that Middlesbrough also want Cresswell. It is not the only player they want to sign from Leeds, with the Saints one of a number of clubs eyeing out-on-loan Sam Greenwood.
Southampton showing interest in Leeds player Charlie Cresswell
It would be a good move for Cresswell, to join a Championship side that are likely to finish in the top six – and reunite with a player in Harwood-Bellis he knows well from international duty with England’s 21’s.
But, the likelihood is, that Cresswell will not be joining the Saints. We will surely prefer not to strengthen a direct rival towards promotion. Boro and Southampton are just that. But, he does need a loan move.
Perhaps, a return to Millwall would make more sense. A club that might have small claims for the last couple of spaces in the play-offs, but are not a direct rival to Leeds in terms of automatic promotion.
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