Morning roundup: Charles agrees Fulham move, Monday 10th August | OneFootball

Southampton have agreed to sell Shea Charles to Fulham for up to £30m, with a five-year deal to follow a medical. He replaces Sasa Lukic, who left for Ipswich last week.

According to Sainstmarching.com, the £26m fee could rise by £4m with add-ons, and Saints kept a sell-on clause. Fulham beat Leeds after two rejected bids. Charles' preference for Fulham never wavered.

Southampton start on minus four points after the Spygate case and visit Watford on Sunday. Eckert is still awaiting his FA sanction.

Fitness is improving. Finn Azaz is building minutes after a short run-out at Colchester, and Caspar Jander is getting closer.

Saturday's 2-0 win at Colchester put Saints into tonight's Carabao Cup second-round draw. They sit in the southern half, where a lower-league home tie would be kind.

Oxford United and Ipswich Town could bring a Spygate reunion if they came through round one. Middlesbrough, the third club Eckert's staff filmed, are in the northern half, so that cannot happen before round three. Ties are in the week beginning 25th August.

With Ross Stewart gone on a free, Cyle Larin is the only recognised number nine. Talks continue for a striker, with Como's Ivan Azon a target and QPR's Richard Kone a cheaper option. The Charles fee gives Spors room to act.

Saints paid far less when signing Charles from Manchester City, so selling for up to £30m looks strong business. Losing a first-team midfielder still stings, but Cam Bragg's rise offers reassurance. Spend the fee well and this looks smart, waste it and the promotion push gets tougher.

Source: Sainstmarching.com

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