Fulham preparing £24m bid for Leeds United target Shea Charles | OneFootball

Fulham are preparing to overtake Leeds United in the pursuit of Southampton midfielder Shea Charles.

The West Londoners are readying a formal £24 million bid to beat their domestic rivals to the 22-year-old’s signature.

Fulham have moved aggressively after a transfer impasse between Leeds and Southampton. Leeds manager Daniel Farke had identified Charles as a top midfield priority for his summer rebuild.

However, the Yorkshire club are yet to agree a deal, with three formal offers rejected as Southampton hold firm for £25 million plus add-ons.

Spotting an opportunity to outmanoeuvre Leeds, new Fulham head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has given the green light for the club’s recruitment staff to submit an immediate £24 million opening proposal.

Fulham’s pitch offers Charles a return to Premier League football, along with a defined tactical role in Arbeloa’s midfield plans.

For Southampton, balancing the books has become essential following their failure to secure Premier League promotion.

As a Manchester City academy graduate and an established Northern Ireland international, Charles is one of St Mary’s most valuable financial assets.

Speculation around his future intensified this week after he was left out of Southampton’s pre-season opener against Eastleigh, further fuelling expectations of an imminent departure.

With Crystal Palace also monitoring the situation, Fulham are keen to step up formal negotiations in the coming days before Leeds can return with an improved fourth offer.

The Cottagers are accelerating their transfer plans ahead of Arbeloa’s first season at the helm, with Chibuike Nwaiwu and Franco Masttantuono being looked at.