Southampton backed to replace £25m Shea Charles with £0 Sunderland transfer swoop | OneFootball

FLW's Southampton fan pundit has given his verdict on a potential move for Dan Neil

Southampton are preparing for another season in the Championship after they were expelled from the play-offs.

The Saints went on an impressive 19-game unbeaten run to achieve fourth in the table, but they were also found guilty of breaching the EFL’s rules against spying.

This meant they were removed from the post-season competition after earning their place in the final.

Tonda Eckert remains in charge of the first team squad, but is under investigation by the Football Association, leading to uncertainty over his position as head coach as a potential ban could loom for the German boss - who has retained the backing of supporters and the club's hierarchy.

Regardless, the Saints will view the transfer market as an opportunity to bolster their squad, with their sights set on another promotion push next season.

This has led to the club being linked with a move to Dan Neil, who is currently available as a free agent after his exit from Sunderland.

Dan Neil is a smart replacement for Shea Charles

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When asked about Neil’s possible arrival, and whether he’d be a good replacement for Shea Charles, FLW’s Southampton fan pundit claimed that beating the likes of West Ham and Wolves to his signature would be a great bit of business.

He believes that the Saints could earn up to £50 million in midfield sales due to Charles and Caspar Jander, so bringing in a free agent to replace one would be a smart move.

“This one took me by surprise a little bit,” Harris told Football League World.

“I wasn’t aware that he was available at the end of the season.

“It’s, for me, a really positive signing if we do, especially if he has got interest from West Ham and Wolves considering they’ve just come down as well.

“I think if we were to sell Shea Charles for that sort of £25 million mark, and bring Dan Neil in for a free, someone who has got back-to-back promotions from the Championship.

“I think it’s an extremely good bit of business.

“Kind of also frees up even more money in the event I don’t want, which is Jander going.

“You could look at £25 for Charles and £25 for Jander, there’s £50 million in two midfielders and you’ve replaced one for nothing.

“I think it looks a really good bit of business, it’s really good for us if he’s our preferred choice over West Ham and Wolves.”

Harris has praised Neil as a top Championship quality player, having been impressed by the few times he’s seen him play, and thinks it would be a good move to bring him in if Charles is sold.

“So, on paper, we get £25 [million] for Charles, get Dan Neil in for free, for me, absolutely fine with it,” he added.

“He’s obviously a really good Championship player.

“I can’t pretend that I’ve seen loads of him, but I’ve seen him a couple times.

“He’s a good player, so yeah, good business for me.”

Neil featured 16 times in the Championship for Ipswich Town in the second half of last season after joining on loan in the January window.

The midfielder helped Kieran McKenna guide the club to automatic promotion, with the team finishing one point ahead of Millwall to clinch second.

And the 24-year-old was also part of the Sunderland side that won their place in the Premier League through the play-offs in 2025.

However, he fell down the pecking order of Régis Le Bris’ side after their busy summer of spending, which led to his exit on loan in the winter.

Neil’s contract will expire on 30 June, and the Black Cats have already confirmed that it won’t be renewed.

Meanwhile, Charles has been the subject of a £20 million offer from Leeds United, which has been rejected.

It’s been claimed that Leeds are ready to come back with another offer, and a deal could be concluded at the £25 million mark.

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Dan Neil would be a great Shea Charles replacement

Charles has earned a reputation as a promising young midfielder, but he wasn’t a consistent part of Eckert’s starting XI last season.

So replacing him with a free agent like Neil could prove a shrewd piece of business, as the 24-year-old has shown he has what it takes to compete to a high level in the Championship.

The former Sunderland player also knows what it takes to win promotion, which will make him a useful asset to have in the dressing room.

If they can beat West Ham and Wolves to his signature, then this could be a smart move ahead of Charles’ likely exit.