"Worrying news for Sheffield Wednesday" - Pundit sends Southampton FC message as West Ham, Leicester City circle | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer spoke exclusively to Football League World about the Shea Charles transfer situation

Pundit and former England international Carlton Palmer has demanded Southampton retain Shea Charles' season-long loan agreement with Sheffield Wednesday amid interest from the likes of West Ham United and Leicester City following an impressive half-campaign in the Steel City.

Wednesday have been a surprise package in the Championship this season, and they're competing for a play-off place under Danny Rohl after performing a great escape to avoid relegation back down to League One last time out.

A driving force behind this term's success has been the performances of Charles, which have left a strong impression ever since he joined the club on loan from Southampton.

The 21-year-old has proved himself to be an outstanding pickup for the Owls, although his displays in the Championship have attracted interest elsewhere.

According to a recent report from MailOnline, West Ham and Leicester are both interested in the Northern Ireland international midfielder alongside current Serie A leaders Atalanta, and considering Southampton have the recall clause which is standard practice for most modern-day loans, Wednesday are sure to find themselves sweating over his immediate future this month.

Carlton Palmer tells Southampton to keep Shea Charles' Sheffield Wednesday loan amid West Ham, Leicester City transfer interest

Palmer addressed the gravity of the blow which Wednesday would be handed in the event of any potential recall for Charles, and he believes Southampton really should keep him at Hillsborough given just how well he's fared, instead of bringing him back to sanction what would likely be a permanent exit.

"Worrying news for Sheffield Wednesday, Shea Charles is attracting interest from the likes of West Ham and Leicester City," Palmer exclusively told Football League World.

"Wednesday stayed up last season by the skin of the teeth, but this season they are flourishing. As I said at the start of the season, if they finish halfway then that's progression for them and then they can look to kick on from there but Danny Rohl has promotion on his radar, they're only three points off a play-off place.

"So it will be disappointing for Wednesday if they were to lose Charles in the January transfer window. Charles is a product of the Manchester City academy, was signed for Southampton for £12 million and then loaned out.

"Given Southampton's position, I would've thought that unless they had to sell for financial fair play purposes, then they would recall Charles and use him themselves in the Premier League this season or let him continue his education at Wednesday and take him back next season for the Championship.

"But you never know, if a big offer comes in for Charles then they may offload him to one of those clubs. It would be very, very disappointing for Wednesday.

"Charles has made 21 appearances, getting four assists and scoring once. He's been outstanding, and he's also been playing for Northern Ireland where he's been given the captain's armband.

"I mean this is what you do, you send young players out on loan and you hope this is what happens. It's always the worry that he might get recalled, Southampton might look at recouping money when they're looking at relegation and with financial fair play and all of that.

"But surely if you're going to be back in the Championship, seeing the player flourishing in the Championship, he's one of those you wouldn't want to sell. You'd keep him there.

"So if he's not going to come back and play in the first-team in the Premier League then leave him at Sheffield Wednesday until the end of the season. But we'll have to wait and see, he's not going to go cheap if it's to West Ham or Leicester, they paid £12 million for him and they'll want a good return on their money.

Shea Charles, Southampton factor will help Sheffield Wednesday with future transfers

Irrespective of what happens with Charles' loan this month, his success with the Owls will surely place the club in good stead to land future Premier League agreements.

They've nurtured him well and his game has improved tenfold over the last few months, which is testament to the work behind the scenes by Rohl and his coaching staff, so that's going to convince top-flight clubs that Hillsborough is indeed a good destination to send young players.

Rohl is known to favour the Premier League loan market and will likely venture down that avenue once again this month following successful deals for not only Charles but also impressive shot-stopper James Beadle.