The pursuit of former Leeds defender Charlie Cresswell by West Ham United from Ligue 1 side Toulouse seemed promising, but ultimately fell through on transfer deadline day.
Despite attempts to sign him on loan with a purchase clause, Toulouse stood firm on their asking price of £17 million. Cresswell, however, was content to remain with the club that gave him the opportunity to shine last season, ignoring interest from various European clubs including Sunderland.
Reflecting on his decision to stay, Cresswell expressed gratitude for his time at Toulouse and the growth he experienced both on and off the field. His commitment to the club was unwavering, despite the transfer speculation.
On the other hand, West Ham secured the signing of Igor Julio before the deadline, with manager Graham Potter praising the Brighton loanee’s impact on the team.
While Cresswell remains in France for another season, another Ligue 1 talent, Emanuel Emegha, has already made the move to the Premier League with Chelsea, after being targeted by West Ham earlier in the summer.
