Toulouse FC is set to make a hefty profit after selling English centre-back Charlie Cresswell to Stade Rennais FC for around €28 million, a sharp jump from the €4.5 million they initially invested two years ago. The 23-year-old defender’s rise in value underlines how calculated player trading can yield significant returns in football’s transfer market.
The deal includes a €25 million base fee plus €3 million in performance bonuses. Cresswell, who impressed in Ligue 1 after leaving Leeds United, will sign a five-year contract with Rennes following a medical. Leeds also benefits from the transfer thanks to a 15% sell-on clause from when they sold Cresswell in 2024, earning approximately £2.6 million (€3 million) despite the player no longer featuring in their plans.
Cresswell’s market value skyrocketed thanks to his strong performances in France, attracting interest from top English clubs including Brighton, Crystal Palace, and Manchester United. Now valued at around €25 million on Transfermarkt, the England U21 international’s rapid development highlights the potential financial upside of investing in young, promising talent.
For Rennes, the €28 million transfer fee will be amortized over the length of Cresswell’s contract, roughly €5 million per year. Meanwhile, Leeds’s strategic sell-on clause demonstrates how clubs can benefit even after transferring players they no longer need.
