Southampton face battle to keep hold of £15m star who tore up the Championship last season, Leeds want him
Southampton have already completed one major task this summer by appointing a new manager, and now they must recruit well as they prepare for life back in the Championship.
Will Still has taken charge of the Saints following their record-breaking relegation from the Premier League, and the Belgian-English coach has plenty of work to do at St. Mary’s to ensure that his team can fight for promotion back to the top flight.
However, the Championship is a wide-open race next season, and despite running out as winners in the play-offs in their last visit to the division, Southampton may not have it all their own way in 2025/26.
There is also now a new problem for Still to deal with involving one of his star players who spent last season out on loan in the second tier.
Leeds United show interest in Southampton midfielder Shea Charles
Shea Charles had a huge amount of success at Sheffield Wednesday last season, playing 44 times in the Championship as the Owls finished mid-table.
However, he will be keen to fight at the top of the table this campaign as he looks to prove himself to those in the Premier League. Yet, there could already be a route to the top flight for the Northern Ireland international.
As per a report from the Daily Mail, Leeds United are admirers of the 21-year-old, who spent time in central midfield, defensive midfield and at centre-back during his year in South Yorkshire.
The Whites won the Championship title with 100 points in 2024/25, and Daniel Farke is looking to make vast improvements to his squad as he aims to avoid relegation in the Premier League for the first time in his career.
Shea Charles’ future is bright and he would benefit from the Premier League
Southampton are already set to be raided by Russell Martin, as he looks to bring Flynn Downes to Rangers with him. While this new interest in Charles is a nuisance for Still to deal with.
Charles proved last season that he is more than capable of the step-up to the Premier League after an excellent year with Sheffield Wednesday.
The Saints have not given the midfielder too many opportunities after he left Manchester City in the summer of 2023 for a fee that The Athletic reported to be £15m, and he would flourish at Leeds.
However, the ball is in Southampton’s court and with their young and exciting manager in the dugout, they may just be able to entice Charles to stay in Hampshire until January at the very least.
