Leeds United are closing in on a new midfield signing in Sean Longstaff. But expect Daniel Farke to bring in one or two more central players before the end of the summer transfer window.
The summer transfer window ticks away. Deadline day is on September 1st and so there remains several weeks of the window yet, and plenty of time for Leeds United and Daniel Farke to ready themselves for the new season.
So far, four new players have arrived at Elland Road. Leeds United completed the signing of Gabriel Gudmundsson recently to take the tally up to four, and the number soon looks set to hit five.
Reports state that Leeds United are close to signing Sean Longstaff from Newcastle United in what will be a £12million deal. He’ll add definite quality to the heart of midfield, but for Farke, another, perhaps more defensive-minded midfielder is needed.
Leeds will need steel in their midfield if they’re to stand a chance of beating the drop next season and right now there’s really only Ethan Ampadu to provide that kind of coverage.
Shea Charles to Leeds United discussed, Southampton surely want to keep him
One name mentioned is Shea Charles. The Southampton man shone on loan at Sheffield Wednesday last season and recent reports have revealed how Leeds United are seriously considering a bid for Charles, following the Saints’ relegation from the Premier League last season.
But speaking to Football League Word, pundit Don Goodman has insisted that Southampton under new boss Will Still will do all they can to fend off interest from Leeds, and utilise Charles as part of their promotion push next season.
Goodman explained: “Unequivocally, yes, Will Still should be resisting any overtures from Leeds United. I think he will want to see Shea Charles in training, want to understand what Shea Charles can offer Southampton next season in the Championship, which I believe would be a lot.
“I can understand that Leeds United and big clubs are looking at Shea Charles, absolutely I can understand it, he had an exceptional season last season. But if Southampton have got anything about them, I would imagine they wouldn’t be selling him to Leeds United, I would imagine they would be playing him week in week out and trying to get back to the Premier League.”
How Shea Charles compared to Ao Tanaka last season will stun Leeds United fans
Ao Tanaka was the man in the middle for Leeds United last season. He had a whirlwind first season at Elland Road after joining from Fortuna Dusseldorf in a bargain £3.4million deal. But Northern Ireland international Charles actually outperformed Tanaka in a number of areas.
In many of the defensive stats, Charles statistically outperformed Tanaka last season. But even in some of the attacking stats Charles performed better: in big chances created-per-game and assists across the season, the 21-year-old former Man City man shone.
| Stat (league) | Charles in 24/25 | Tanaka in 24/25 |
| Interceptions PG | 1.4 | 1.3 |
| Tackles PG | 2.5 | 2.2 |
| Recoveries PG | 5.7 | 5 |
| Dribbled past PG | 0.7 | 1 |
| Clearances PG | 1.7 | 0.8 |
| Assists | 5 | 2 |
| Touches PG | 61.1 | 73.5 |
| Big chances created | 5 | 2 |
| Key passes PG | 1.3 | 0.7 |
| Passes PG | 34.5 | 55 |
| Pass % | 85 | 90 |
For Farke, Charles could be the perfect man to come in and solidify the defence from midfield, whilst allowing the likes of either Longstaff and/or Tanaka to get forward and contribute more towards the attack.
But as Goodman says, it could be a difficult pursuit with Southampton likely desperate to keep him.
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