Leeds United target Shea Charles misses Saints opener amid stalled talks | OneFootball

Leeds United’s pursuit of Shea Charles remains complicated as the midfielder was left out of Southampton’s pre-season opener at Eastleigh on Saturday.

According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, Leeds have made multiple bids, the latest reportedly up to £25m, but talks with Southampton are at a stalemate. The Saints are thought to value Charles at around £30m and no offer at that level has arrived. Fulham and Crystal Palace are also believed to hold interest.

Charles reported back last week, later than many team-mates after June duty with Northern Ireland. Southampton fielded a strong group in the 3-1 win over non-league Eastleigh, featuring Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Leo Scienza and £9m signing Lewis Dobbin. Saints boss Tonda Eckert named different XIs in each half, with Charles absent from both.

Given his delayed return, the likelihood is he was not yet considered fit enough. Striker Ben Brereton Diaz was another seemingly short of the required sharpness, while attacking midfielder Finn Azaz missed out with a minor injury.

Southampton face Eintracht Braunschweig on Friday, the first of two matches during a training camp in Germany. It remains to be seen whether Charles will be available.

The former Manchester City academy graduate remains a target for Leeds, who last week completed their first fee-paying deal of the summer. Centre-back Tarik Muharemovic arrived from Sassuolo for £34m, following free-agent addition Harry Wilson as the second signing for Daniel Farke’s squad.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk