West Ham Miss Cresswell? Sullivan’s Delay Costs £30m Target 

Key Points

• West Ham United attempted to sign Charlie Cresswell from Toulouse in September 2025 but failed due to delayed negotiations and an unappealing payment structure deferred until 2026.
• Toulouse valued Cresswell at around £20 million, a figure they communicated clearly, and had even less incentive to sell after securing Jaydee Canvot from Crystal Palace on the penultimate day of the transfer window.
• West Ham ultimately accepted defeat and opted for a loan deal for Igor Julio from Brighton & Hove Albion as a cheaper, older alternative.
• Six months later, Igor Julio has returned to Brighton after starting only one Premier League match for West Ham, rendering the move largely pointless.
• Cresswell’s market value has since skyrocketed, with Toulouse rejecting offers from Wolfsburg and Brighton this January 2026 – both exceeding West Ham’s summer bid.
• Despite cautious optimism that a deal could still materialise before the window closes, sentiment among West Ham fans in East London suggests the opportunity has passed, with blame directed at co-owner David Sullivan’s hesitancy, dubbed ‘Dithering Dave’.
• This episode exemplifies a perceived decline in West Ham’s recruitment strategy compared to rival Premier League clubs.

East London (East London Times) January 31, 2026 – West Ham United fans are growing increasingly anxious that the club has missed out on signing highly-rated defender Charlie Cresswell, now valued at up to £30 million, due to protracted negotiations led by co-chairman David Sullivan, often criticised as ‘Dithering Dave’. The Hammers’ failed summer bid for the England Under-21 international from Toulouse has backfired spectacularly, as the French club has rejected superior offers from Wolfsburg and Brighton this month. Instead of securing Cresswell, West Ham settled for a short-term loan of Igor Julio from Brighton, who has since returned after minimal impact, highlighting deeper issues in the club’s transfer approach.

What Happened with the Charlie Cresswell Bid?

The saga began in September 2025 when West Ham targeted Charlie Cresswell, a promising centre-half at Ligue 1 side Toulouse. As detailed in the original Hammers News report, Toulouse made it abundantly clear they valued Cresswell closer to the £20 million mark, a stance that left little room for compromise. The Ligue 1 outfit had already strengthened their defence by signing Jaydee Canvot from Crystal Palace on the penultimate day of the transfer window, reducing any urgency to offload another young talent.

West Ham’s proposal included delaying payment until 2026, a structure that Toulouse found unpalatable. According to the Hammers News article, this hesitation from the London club prompted Toulouse to dig in their heels.

“It was never likely to elicit any other kind of response,”

the report stated, underscoring the predictable outcome of West Ham’s foot-dragging.

Why Did West Ham Turn to Igor Julio Instead?

Faced with rejection, West Ham pivoted quickly to Igor Julio on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion. The move was portrayed as a pragmatic fallback – cheaper and immediately available, though far older than the 22-year-old Cresswell. Hammers News described it pointedly:

“Isn’t that David Sullivan all over? Drag your feet over an exciting young centre-half and end up settling for a cheap, far older, alternative?”

Igor Julio’s tenure at the London Stadium proved underwhelming. A separate Hammers News update confirmed his imminent return to Brighton, noting he had started only one Premier League match during his six-month stint.

“Igor Julio set for quick Brighton return after pointless West Ham move amid Charlie Cresswell latest,”

the headline read, linking the flop directly to the Cresswell miss.

How Has Cresswell’s Value Changed Since the Summer?

Fast-forward to January 2026, and Charlie Cresswell’s stock has soared. Toulouse have rebuffed bids from Bundesliga side Wolfsburg and Premier League rivals Brighton – “funnily enough,” as Hammers News quipped, given Brighton’s role in the Igor Julio saga. These offers surpassed West Ham’s summer proposal by a significant margin, with current estimates placing Cresswell’s worth at £30 million.

The report from Hammers News columnist highlighted two reasons for lingering hope: Toulouse’s rejection of a £23 million snub and Cresswell’s apparent preference for shirt number availability at West Ham.

“West Ham can still land Charlie Cresswell for two reasons: £23m snub and dream shirt number,”

the piece argued, injecting a note of optimism amid the pessimism.

Who Is David Sullivan and Why the ‘Dithering Dave’ Nickname?

David Sullivan, West Ham’s co-chairman, bears the brunt of fan frustration in this narrative. Dubbed ‘Dithering Dave’ for his perceived indecisiveness in the transfer market, Sullivan’s leadership is blamed for the club’s recruitment lag behind Premier League peers. The Hammers News piece framed the Cresswell episode as a textbook example:

“If you want an example of why the standard of West Ham United’s recruitment has fallen behind that of so many rival Premier League clubs, cast your mind back to September and their attempted swoop for Charlie Cresswell.”

No direct quotes from Sullivan appear in the sourced material, but the commentary implies a pattern of delayed decision-making that costs the club prime targets. Fans in East London, as per the report, feel the “ship sailed quite a while ago,” with cautious optimism tempered by past disappointments.

Is There Still Hope for a Cresswell Deal?

While the transfer window remains open, Hammers News columnist suggested potential pathways forward. Toulouse’s dismissal of a £23 million offer – presumably from one of the recent suitors – keeps Cresswell on the market. Additionally, the player’s affinity for a specific shirt number aligns with availability at West Ham, per the analysis:

“There is still reason for cautious optimism regarding the England Under-21 ace – nothing is over until the window closes.”

However, the prevailing mood among supporters is one of resignation. The article encapsulated this:

“The feeling in East London is that the ship sailed quite a while ago.”

With Wolfsburg and Brighton already thwarted, competition could intensify, but West Ham’s summer missteps have left them playing catch-up.

What Does This Say About West Ham’s Recruitment Strategy?

This transfer mishap underscores broader concerns over West Ham’s scouting and negotiation prowess. Rivals have capitalised on swift moves for young talents, while the Hammers repeatedly settle for stopgaps. Igor Julio’s prompt return to Brighton – after a “pointless West Ham move” – exemplifies the risks of such compromises.

Hammers News positioned the story as emblematic: delays cost opportunities, inflating fees and diminishing options. Sullivan’s ‘dithering’ is not isolated; it reflects a recruitment standard

“fallen behind that of so many rival Premier League clubs.”

As the window progresses, West Ham must act decisively to salvage the Cresswell pursuit or risk further fan discontent.

Background on Key Players Involved

Charlie Cresswell, the 22-year-old England Under-21 defender, has impressed at Toulouse since his move from Leeds United. His rapid value appreciation stems from consistent performances in Ligue 1, making him a hot prospect across Europe.

Igor Julio, the Brazilian centre-back, arrived at West Ham as a low-risk loan but failed to convince, managing just one Premier League start. His recall by Brighton highlights the transient nature of such deals.

Toulouse’s firm stance post-Canovot signing demonstrates shrewd asset management, prioritising squad depth over short-term gains.

Fan and Media Reactions

East London supporters, vocal on platforms linked via Hammers News, express dismay at the ‘Dithering Dave’ moniker gaining traction. The narrative of missed opportunities resonates, with calls for accelerated decision-making in future windows.

Media coverage, centred on Hammers News, amplifies these sentiments without endorsing them, maintaining journalistic neutrality. Columnists balance critique with hope, ensuring all angles – from Sullivan’s strategy to Cresswell’s preferences – receive fair attribution.

Broader Implications for West Ham United

As co-owner, David Sullivan’s influence on transfers shapes West Ham’s trajectory. This episode, while not catastrophic, erodes trust in the boardroom. With the Premier League’s financial stakes ever-rising, hesitation could prove costly in the battle for European spots.

The club’s pivot from Cresswell to Julio, and the latter’s failure, invites scrutiny of scouting networks. Rivals like Brighton – ironically poised for Cresswell – exemplify proactive recruitment, loaning out assets like Julio while targeting upgrades.