Leeds United handed Southampton transfer curveball as Crystal Palace enter race | OneFootball

A new club is reportedly interested in Southampton midfielder Shea Charles after Leeds United.

Southampton are facing life in the Championship for another season, knowing that had things worked out differently last season they could well have found themselves back in the Premier League.

An outstanding second half of the season saw the Saints climb into the play-off positions, setting up a semi-final tie with Middlesbrough. The south coast club beat Boro 2-1 on aggregate, but the occasion was overshadowed by reports of Southampton spying on their opponents in the build-up.

Southampton were eventually charged and saw their place in the play-off final snatched away with Boro replacing them, who were defeated 1-0 by Hull City. They were also deducted four points starting from this season.

As a result of failing to secure promotion, the Saints will inevitably have to sanction exits and raise funds, with the first big-name player looking likely to depart this summer being midfielder Shea Charles.

The Northern Ireland international has been subject to offers from Leeds United, and now it looks as though he's subject to interest from elsewhere.

Fresh twist emerges in Shea Charles transfer saga

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According to Alan Nixon on Patreon, Crystal Palace have now joined the race to sign Charles from Southampton as the Eagles prepare for a campaign in the Europa League.

The south London outfit are also under new management after the departed Oliver Glasner was replaced by former Lens boss Pierre Sage.

Leeds are believed to have returned with an improved £25million bid after an offer in the region of £20million was rejected by the Championship club. However, it may take closer to £30million to sanction an exit.

Charles signed for the Saints from Manchester City in 2023, but last season is when he really made an impact at St Mary's.

The midfielder had spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Sheffield Wednesday while Southampton were in the Premier League before returning to Hampshire following the Saints' relegation back to the Championship.

He played 38 times across all competitions for the Reds as they secured a play-off spot and defied the odds by making it all the way to the FA Cup semi-final where they were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Manchester City.

Charles scored a couple of vital goals, netting the winner in a 2-1 quarter-final victory over Premier League champions-to-be Arsenal as well as the goal that clinched a ridiculous 4-3 comeback win at Leicester City, having been 3-0 down at half-time.

The 22-year-old also scored the winning goal in extra-time against Middlesbrough that appeared to have booked Southampton's place in the play-off final.

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Although Southampton will be extremely keen to keep hold of one of their star players, they will also be well aware of their current situation and the need to sell at least one asset this summer.

Alongside Charles, the likes of Leo Scienza, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Caspar Jander have all been subject to transfer speculation following the Saints' expulsion from the play-offs.

Losing all four players would be a significant blow to Southampton this summer, but realistically they will have to raise some funds through player sales and being able to raise a fee in the region of £30million could prove enough to allow Charles a Premier League move.

Following his performances against the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City in the FA Cup last term, Charles proved he is ready to compete in the top-flight and why he has subsequently been subject to bids in excess of £20million.