How Millwall fought their way to the front of Leeds United's Charlie Cresswell queue

Millwall looks increasingly likely to be Charlie Cresswell’s temporary home for the coming season as Leeds United weigh up the offers on their table. The financial side of the London club’s approach has ticked boxes, while their on-pitch ambitions have encouraged too.

The England under-21 international is expected to leave Leeds behind for a year as he pursues the first-team minutes he’s more than ready for. Championship clubs have lined up for the centre-back, but Gary Rowett’s outfit continue to lead the pack.

With Robin Koch, Liam Cooper, Diego Llorente and Pascal Struijk all ahead of Cresswell in the pecking order at Thorp Arch, there is little sense in keeping him around for cup games and Premier League 2. At 19, he is ready to kick on.

Millwall finished ninth in the Championship last season, but are understood to be committing resources to a concerted push next term. George Honeyman has arrived from Hull City, Benik Afobe from Stoke City and Zian Flemming is a club-record signing from the Dutch top flight.

The terms offered within the loan deal to acquire Cresswell have impressed Leeds and there are high hopes the move will go through next week. Rowett’s track record with young players is also of importance to Victor Orta and Jesse Marsch, as they consider the best coach for Cresswell’s development.

Nine months of regular football in front of a crowd as hostile as Millwall’s has also come into the thinking when plotting Cresswell’s next step. Getting a full campaign under his belt with that kind of atmosphere around him should only better prepare him for life at Elland Road.

Leeds United confirm new 2022/23 kit launch date as Adidas issue apology on problems

Victor Orta's plan for Leeds United's Phillips-Raphinha