Millwall, Blackburn boost in Leeds United transfer race as Bristol City update revealed | OneFootball

Highlights

Charlie Cresswell is one of many Leeds United players who has been linked with a potential move away from Leeds United in the remainder of the January transfer window, which we currently stand approximately halfway through.

The England U21 international has found game-time at Elland Road hard to come by this year, despite impressing in Millwall's eventually unsuccessful bid to reach the Championship play-offs under the Lions' former boss Gary Rowett last season.

Despite the appointment of Daniel Farke in the summer, Cresswell's place in United's pecking order hasn't changed whatsoever, finding himself behind the constantly impressive duo of Pascal Struijk and Tottenham Hotspur loanee Joe Rodon, as well as club captain Liam Cooper in their bid to regain Premier League status.

Millwall and Blackburn handed further boost in ongoing transfer saga

Two clubs with sufficient concrete interest in Cresswell are the aforementioned South London outfit and Blackburn Rovers. Both sides also look set to have been handed a major boost in their pursuits, as Bristol Live claim that rumours linking Cresswell with a potential move to Bristol City are wide of the mark, as Liam Manning looks to identify other areas of his squad that require further improvement.

The rumour in question came on Page 105 of the Mail on Sunday (January 14th), which stated that the Robins were in a potential battle with the aforementioned duo of Middlesbrough and Millwall in an attempt to prize Cresswell from Elland Road. However, it would appear otherwise at present, with talk of a move for the 14-time England youth international to the Riverside Stadium also quiet of late.

Millwall and Blackburn lead the way in Cresswell pursuit

Prior to January 1st, it was revealed by The Athletic that Cresswell was told he would remain a Leeds player amid interest from Middlesbrough and promotion rivals Southampton, as per Alan Nixon via Patreon.

However, the goalposts have moved significantly regarding this ongoing transfer saga.

Nixon then claimed on Sunday that Millwall and Blackburn are prepared to go to the 'next level' when battling it out with a number of fellow second tier outfits who are admirers of Cresswell, but are only prepared to sanction a loan move for the remainder of the season.

The report continued by stating that United are looking for a fee in the region of £4m, but could be tempted to accept a smaller upfront offer if sufficient bonuses can be inserted. Blackburn are said to be weighing up a 'serious' offer to persuade Leeds into a permanent exit.

Charlie Cresswell's next move is crucial

It's no surprise that Millwall are looking to add Cresswell on a permanent basis this time round, having been a reliable asset in both areas of the pitch, with five goals and one assist in 30 appearances at the Den.

As for Rovers, they are in desperate need of defensive reinforcements, having shipped 18 goals in their last six Championship outings as Jon Dahl Tomasson looks to alert the drastic slide down the table in that time frame.

Cresswell has cut a frustrated figure at Elland Road, which Farke understands, but also questioned his mentality prior to an omission from the squad which emerged victorious in South Wales.

“You could sense that Charlie was not overly happy with this situation. Sometimes he was travelling with us and it was a little bit like he’s not really switched on and focused. We spoke openly and honestly about this and he said, ‘Listen boss, I totally appreciate everything but for me it’s difficult. I’m not happy to be centre-back number four. I want to be top two. I rate myself as a starter," the German revealed to the Athletic.

“Either you find a solution, if you want to play for a different club, or you come to me and tell me you’re happy to be number four, totally committed. I have to wait for my chance and work for it. If you think right now you have the right to start ahead of Joe Rodon or Pascal Struijk, it’s not possible."

Therefore, a clean slate looks to be the best option despite the recent expectation that Liam Cooper will leave the club in six months which could've had a knock-on effect on the youngster's game time in West Yorkshire.