Leeds United zero in on £20m-plus midfielder that Everton wanted to sign
Leeds United are honing in on securing the signature of Southampton midfielder Shea Charles.
Central midfield doesn't feel like a pressing issue for Daniel Farke to address in the transfer market this summer, but you can never have enough quality in the engine room.
22-year-old Charles would bring quality and potential in abundance to Elland Road, having enjoyed an excellent 2025-26 season in the Championship with Southampton.
A product of Manchester City's academy, Charles made 31 and 23 appearances for City at Under-21 and Under-23 levels respectively, whilst also being able to make one competitive first-team outing as well.
Despite Saints' 2025-26 campaign ending under a cloud of disrepute following their 'Spygate 2.0' scandal, Charles was one of their stars who certainly could hold their head high.
And, having scored six goals and provided two assists in 38 total appearances, the Northern Ireland international now looks primed for a Premier League move.
Leeds learn Shea Charles value as interest ramping up
As seemingly more and more clubs across the Premier League and Europe are learning, the Championship can be a fantastic market to go shopping in for bargains.
Whilst clubs are now demanding bigger price tags for their star players than ever before in the second tier, in the grand scheme of top-flight riches, there's still cheap business to be done here for the likes of Leeds.
Should he reach his potential, then there's every chance a player of Charles' evident talent could enjoy a long and successful career in the Premier League.
That's why, according to a fresh report from the Daily Mail, Southampton value Charles north of £20million.
Pep Guardiola raved about Charles after his Man City debut
If there's one position that legendary former Man City boss Pep Guardiola knows quality at when he sees it, it's central midfield.
The Catalonian coach handed Charles his solitary Man City first-team appearance on the final day of the 2022-23 season away at Brentford, bringing him on with 63 minutes on the clock.
City lost that game 1-0, but Guardiola was still full of praise for young Charles post-match, as detailed in an interview via Man City.
“Shea Charles against this team with top, top strikers, fast and strong, it’s not the easiest debut," Guardiola said.
“At the same time we don’t play for points. Kyle (Walker) helped him and Aymeric (Laporte) and the other ones. He played really good and it’s fantastic for the academy.
“We know him, he trains quite regularly with us, he’s so good, so composed.
“When you can make your debut, after joining the club at nine-years-old and grew up to make a debut is the biggest compliment for all the managers he had and the trainers and those that take care of him.
“I’m pretty sure it’s a big moment for him.”
Now, he could be about to go full circle and finally become a regular Premier League star again, this time for Leeds.