‘We will see’… Daniel Farke says £4m defender could leave Leeds United during January window

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Charlie Cresswell has been linked with the exit door at Leeds United this month as he continues to struggle for game time – and Daniel Farke says it is up to the defender if he wants to stay, or leave.

Cresswell, 21, was left out of the Leeds squad on Monday again as the Whites smashed Birmingham City to win 3-0. Patrick Bamford, Dan James and Crysencio Summerville all scored for Leeds at Elland Road.

But Cresswell was missing, again. The defender has failed to play a single minute in any of our last 16 Championship games, only managing to make the squad on three occasions. He has very little hope.

Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Southampton, Rangers and Ipswich Town are all interested in signing the England U21 defender. Reports state that Cresswell has made the decision to leave, on loan or for good.

Farke was asked in his post-match press conference about a move for Cresswell, as per Leeds Live. He said that while Leeds want to keep the £4m-rated man, it is up to the centre-back if he wants to stay.

“We will see,” Farke said, on reports about Cresswell. “He is proud and wants to play after being a main man at Millwall. Competition for places. Up to him if he wants to take on this challenge, climb the ladder.

“If he wants something different, we will see. No coincidence we gave him a new contract. We have faith in him. Important he is happy with the challenge. On our side, there is no will to let him go,” Farke added.

Daniel Farke says it is up to Charlie Cresswell if he wants move

The suitors are aplenty then, for Cresswell – and certainly, given Joe Rodon’s form and that he is now the club’s fourth-choice centre-back, he probably needs a move. But, we can only allow a loan exit.

Cresswell has the potential to become a leader for Leeds and while it was expected he would have had a bigger impact this season – it looks unlikely he will start another game for Leeds during the 23-24 term.

But he has enormous potential and Leeds needs to keep him on the books, especially after he signed a new long-term deal at Elland Road. A loan, but not a permanent exit, for Richard Cresswell’s son.