Crystal Palace join Nottingham Forest and Man Utd in Southampton transfer race | OneFootball

Crystal Palace have emerged as the latest side to register an interest in Southampton's Shea Charles this summer

Southampton have rocketed up the Championship table in recent months under Tonda Eckert, and are hoping to secure a Premier League return at the first time of asking despite a shaky start to the campaign.

When Southampton began the 2025/26 season in dismal form under Will Still, it looked certain that the Saints had blown their chances of bouncing back to the top flight — but in stepped German boss Tonda Eckert.

Eckert has done a remarkable job since taking the reins at St Mary's with their 2-1 win over Arsenal to send them to the FA Cup semi-final, and their 5-1 away win over play-off contender rivals Wrexham is indicative of just how scintillating they have been as of late.

Promotion would almost certainly help the Saints keep some of their star assets around, including the likes of Leo Scienza, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, and Shea Charles, the latter of whom is attracting more and more interest from the top flight with each passing day, as a new club has joined the race for the Northern Irishman's signature.

Crystal Palace join Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest and Manchester United in pursuit of Southampton's Shea Charles

Defensive-midfielder Shea Charles is a name who will be high up on numerous top-flight clubs' shortlists heading into the summer, especially if Southampton are unable to secure promotion themselves.

Nottingham Forest had recently registered an interest in the 22-year-old, whilst both Manchester United and Everton are also both reportedly tracking Charles' situation on the South Coast.

Currently rated at around the £20 million mark, Charles, whenever fit, is one of the first names on the team sheet for both club and country, and having scored a stunning long-range effort against Oxford United recently, and then a composed finish to claim the winner for Southampton against Arsenal, it's hardly surprising teams are standing up and taking notice.

Crystal Palace are the latest club reportedly preparing a possible move for the former Manchester City man this summer, as the Saints will be rubbing their hands at the interest in Charles, as the more teams tracking him, the more they will be able to drive up the asking price.

Palace have delved into the Championship market in recent years to great success, with Adam Wharton in particular a standout signing from the second tier, having signed from Blackburn Rovers in January 2024.

In any instance, Southampton and Eckert would of course prefer to keep the Northern Irishman around at St Mary's for as long as possible, though even if they do secure promotion, his future isn't necessarily guaranteed to lie on the South Coast.

Whatever Southampton's fate may be this season, they are powerless to resist interest in Charles, as Crystal Palace is just the latest top-flight club to join the ever-increasing line of sides tracking his situation.

Tonda Eckert must brace himself for intense interest in Shea Charles at Southampton this summer

Eckert has solidified his job at Southampton with an incredible run of form and performances, and whatever league they find themselves in next season, he looks certain to be the person at the helm to lead them into the new year.

Instead, Southampton may be worrying that another side may try to poach Eckert away in the summer, though if he does achieve Premier League promotion with the Saints, it's difficult to see him turning down the opportunity to lead them into the top flight.

Whatever the case, should Eckert remain in the Southampton hot seat for next year, he must prepare to brace himself for a bombardment of interest in Charles this summer.

With numerous Premier League sides tracking his progress, Southampton's resolve is set to be tested on just how highly they value the defensive midfielder.

Crystal Palace joining the race will only serve to increase their asking price, though under contract until the summer of 2027, should the Northern Irishman not sign fresh terms with the club, their hands may be tied on the decision they will make regarding his future this summer.