Leeds United have been in constant negotiations with Southampton over a move for Shea Charles, but the latest reports suggest Leeds have moved on from the Northern Ireland ace.
Charles sparkled in a Southampton shirt during the 2025-26 Championship season. He helped the Saints get into the play-offs after a dismal start, before Southampton lost their place in the mini tournament.
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Harsh on Charles, who deserved to be on a side winning promotion to the Premier League. That was recognised by Leeds, who saw an initial £20m bid rejected. Leeds then made a second offer for Charles.
A £23m bid plus add-ons was tabled, but again, Southampton rejected it with their £30m price tag not met. Now, new reports coming out of Italy suggest Leeds have moved on from the Saints midfielder.
Leeds open talks for Mandela Keita after Charles’ move stalls
With Leeds unwilling to make Charles their second most-expensive signing ever behind Georginio Rutter at £30m, the Whites have seemingly moved on if reports from Gazzetta Dello Sport are to be believed.
Leeds are already in talks to land Parma stopper Zion Suzuki, and now GDS (06/07, 11.57AM) say Leeds have opened talks to sign Suzuki’s midfield teammate Mandela Keita. Parma are open to selling him.
It is believed a £26m fee would be enough to convince Parma to cash in, with the Serie A side willing to sell a few players before they go again in Italy’s top tier. Keita has spent the last two years with Parma.
A one-time Belgium international, Keita has become renowned for his stamina in the middle of the park. If Leeds do pursue a deal, it would see the Whites add some defensive steel in front of the defence.
Daniel Farke wanted to sign Mandela Keita back in 2024
Two years ago, Daniel Farke had his eye on Keita. The Belgian was impressing at Royal Antwerp in his home country, but eventually, Parma swooped, and the midfielder completed a move to Italian football.
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Leeds, of course, had failed to gain promotion from the Championship that summer, and that is likely to have played a role in Keita opting against Leeds. But Farke’s interest in Keita has clearly not died down.
A £26m fee would see Keita become Leeds’ third most-expensive signing behind Rutter and Rodrigo, who joined Leeds for £27m in 2020. But a move for Keita surely indicates that Leeds no longer want Charles.
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