Why Leeds have done their part as Shea Charles update emerges amid fresh bid

Leeds United have ensured the ball is now in Southampton's court when it comes to the future of Shea Charles.

MOT Leeds News has extensively covered Charles' links with a move to Elland Road this summer.

The Northern Ireland international is one of the Whites' top targets for the summer, having so far brought in Harry Wilson and Tarik Muharemovic.

Leeds are reported to have had two separate bids at least knocked back for Charles as they fall well short of Southampton's £30million asking price.

News has since emerged that Fulham are now ready to bid £24m for Charles.

With the competition for Charles increasing, Leeds have made their stance known to the Saints.

Leeds' latest Shea Charles bid to be the final one

Leeds have taken a 30-man squad to the United States for their trip of upcoming friendlies.

But transfer business will still be going on behind the scenes, with Daniel Farke clearly in need of at least a few more players.

But as per Graham Smyth of the Yorkshire Evening Post, it does not look likely Charles will be one of those.

Leeds' most recent bid for Southampton, which was not accepted, will be the last one they table.

The only way the situation will now change is if Southampton lower their asking price.

However, given Fulham's expected bid is going to be higher than Leeds', they will surely be in the driving seat when it comes to negotiating.

In Leeds' defence, they have their own valuation for Charles and the West Yorkshire club cannot be blamed for refusing to overpay.

Would Charles be worth haggling over?

Had Leeds and Farke got their way, Charles would have been part of the squad in the United States.

Transfers do not always work like that, though, and it is looking increasingly likely this one is dead in the water.

Charles was once hailed by international colleague Paddy McNair as someone who "makes the game look easy".

That is high praise indeed, and the 22-year-old certainly passes the eye test.

But £30m is a pretty staggering sum for a player with just one Premier League appearance to his name.

If Leeds miss out on Charles to Fulham for the sake of £2m, it will clearly be annoying.

But a player is only worth what a buying club is willing to pay, and Leeds have every right to draw a line in the sand.