Wolfsburg Exploring Deal for Liverpool Defensive Target

By Liam McPherson | Published January 14, 2026

VfL Wolfsburg are actively pursuing a winter transfer deal for Charlie Cresswell, a 23-year-old English centre-back currently with Toulouse, who has emerged as a reported target for Liverpool and Newcastle United. According to Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg, concrete negotiations are underway for the defender, whose contract runs until 2028.[1][6]

Cresswell joined Toulouse from Leeds United in July 2024 for €4.5 million and has since become a key figure in their defence, impressing with his strength in duels and dominance in the air. French reports earlier this month highlighted interest from Premier League clubs, praising his readiness for top-flight English football based on performances over 3,059 minutes in major competitions (per Fbref data).[1]

Wolfsburg's interest comes as they seek to bolster a leaky defence amid a challenging Bundesliga campaign. Plettenberg noted that pursuits of other targets have stalled: no clearance from Brentford for Kristoffer Ajer, and no developments on Danilho Doekhi from Union Berlin. This shift positions Cresswell as the primary focus.[1][3]

For Liverpool, the story adds to ongoing speculation around defensive reinforcements. The Reds face shortages due to injuries and failed pursuits like Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, with Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, and Joe Gomez under pressure. While Cresswell has been loosely linked, Wolfsburg appear poised to steal a march in the January window.[1][4]

An embedded tweet from Plettenberg underscores the exclusivity: “VfL Wolfsburg are now exploring a winter deal for Charlie #Cresswell. Concrete negotiations are ongoing.” Wolfsburg's proactive approach could disrupt Premier League plans, though Toulouse's stance on a mid-season sale remains unclear.[1]

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