Southampton are set to win for the race to sign Leeds United target Shea Charles from Manchester City.
That is according to Fabrizio Romano, who reports Southampton are now ‘closing in’ on a £9 million deal for Charles, with City set to have both a buy back and sell on clause.
As per the Guardian, Leeds were among a host of teams set to make a move for Charles this summer, with Borussia Dortmund and Brentford also interested.
However, Southampton and City have enjoyed a positive relationship in the last 12 months, with Charles set to become the sixth player to move from the Etihad to St. Mary’s in that period after Gavin Bazunu, Romeo Lavia, Sam Edozie, Juan Larios and most recently Josh McNamara.
Charles was the captain of City’s U21s side last season and was handed his first team debut on the final day of the season in a 1-0 defeat at Brentford in May.
Southampton set to beat Leeds to Charles signing
Charles is capable of playing in central midfield, as well as both centre back and right back, with his versatility clearly a huge attribute of his.
At just 19, he has also already been capped eight times at international level by Northern Ireland, including four consecutive starts in their EURO 2024 qualifiers.
Despite that, £9 million for someone who has made just one senior club appearance is not the type of deal Leeds can afford to be doing at this point.
Leeds have two excellent young midfielders in Darko Gyabi and Archie Gray on the verge of breaking into the first team, and that sort of money would be put to better use bringing in someone with more experience.
Gustavo Hamer and Han-Noah Massengo have been mentioned as potential midfield targets this summer, both of which would be excellent business.
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