Leeds United are in talks with Southampton midfielder Shea Charles and have submitted an offer worth around £20 million for the Northern Ireland international.
Reports suggest Southampton are holding out for a higher fee, although discussions between the two clubs remain positive as negotiations continue.
The 22-year-old has attracted interest from Everton and Atalanta in recent months, but Leeds are keen to strengthen their squad this summer and view Charles as a player capable of adding both quality and depth.
Since joining Southampton from Manchester City in 2023 for €12.25 million, Charles has made 76 appearances for the Saints and earned 35 caps for Northern Ireland. He also spent the 2024/25 season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, where he featured 44 times and contributed one goal and five assists.
One of Charles' biggest strengths is his versatility. Although primarily a defensive midfielder, he has also operated at centre-back, in central midfield and at right-back throughout his career. His positional flexibility could prove valuable for Daniel Farke as Leeds prepare for a second consecutive season in the Premier League.
Injury concerns appear minimal. Charles has largely enjoyed a strong fitness record, with his only significant setback coming last season when a hamstring injury side-lined him for 86 days and caused him to miss 18 matches.
Manchester City beginnings
Charles began his career in Manchester City's academy, where he won five youth trophies, including two titles and three cup triumphs.
During the 2020/21 season, he made 23 appearances for City's Under-18 side, registering one assist while predominantly playing at centre-back.
The following campaign saw him take another step forward. Charles featured 38 times across various youth competitions, scoring once and providing one assist. It was also during this season that he began transitioning into a defensive midfield role, while still occasionally featuring at centre-back and right-back.
His development continued in 2022/23 as he maintained regular game time and even earned his Premier League debut for Manchester City against Brentford, coming on as a centre-back.
Rise through the EFL
A move to Southampton followed in the summer of 2023. Charles featured regularly during his first season at St Mary's, making 38 appearances across all competitions and gaining valuable Championship experience.
To further his development, he joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan for the 2024/25 campaign. It proved to be an important year in his progression, as he played 44 matches, scored once and provided five assists. While he continued to play the majority of his football in a defensive midfield role, he also featured on several occasions in central midfield, operating slightly further up the pitch and showcasing his versatility and adaptability across different midfield positions.
Back at Southampton last season, Charles enjoyed his most productive campaign to date. He made 38 appearances, scoring six goals and providing two assists. Despite his efforts, Southampton's promotion hopes ended in disappointment as they were knocked out in the Championship play-off semi-finals.
