Rui Costa rejects Charlie Cresswell offer as Benfica seek António Silva replacement | OneFootball

According to Glorioso 1904, Rui Costa has rejected the chance to sign Charlie Cresswell, who was offered to Benfica as a replacement for António Silva, now at Bournemouth.

Benfica are moving quickly for a new centre-back and considered the 23-year-old while he was at Toulouse. The English defender is seen as physically robust, at 1.90m and 88kg, with scope to develop.

Toulouse’s price proved too steep, with Benfica only willing to spend up to 15 million euros. Cresswell has since been sold to Rennes for 22.5 million euros, and the club prefer a different profile.

Developed at Leeds United, Cresswell was a key part of England’s Under-21 European title wins in 2023 and 2025. He joined Toulouse in 2024, produced two strong Ligue 1 seasons, and has now moved to Rennes.

Last season for Toulouse, he was valued at 25 million euros and made 32 appearances, 29 in Ligue 1 and three in the Coupe de France. Across 2,778 minutes, he scored four goals and registered three assists.

Source: Glorioso 1904

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”