Rennes will pay a loan fee of €2.5million with an obligation to buy the centre-back next summer for a fixed €22.5m. Thibaud MORITZ / AFP via Getty ImagesAug. 1, 2026 Updated 9:37 am EDTRennes have agreed a deal to sign Charlie Cresswell from Ligue 1 rivals Toulouse.Rennes, who will play in this season’s Europa League, will pay a loan fee of €2.5million with an obligation to buy the centre-back next summer for a fixed €22.5m, plus an additional €3m in bonuses. Toulouse will retain a 10 per cent future sell-on clause.The former Leeds United defender will undergo a medical at Rennes on Sunday ahead of signing a contract that will be five years in length upon becoming permanent in 2027.
The former England under-21 international will become Toulouse’s second highest ever sale, following striker Emersonn joining Ipswich Town in a deal worth a fixed €28m plus €3m in add-ons, with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, earlier this summer.The Athletic reported in January that German club Wolfsburg had several bids rejected for Cresswell, 23, the last of which valued at around €23million ($26.2m, £19.9m).West Ham United had also expressed an interest in the winter transfer window after failing to sign him in the summer.The Leeds United academy graduate made 34 appearances for Toulouse last season, and contributed four goals and three assists. It marked his second full season in France’s Ligue 1, having left Elland Road in July 2024 after making just 14 first-team appearances.Cresswell played every minute for England last summer at the Under-21 European Championship, including the final win over Germany, and made 26 appearances for his country in that youth category.
