Fulham bid £24m for Shea Charles as Southampton weigh next steps | OneFootball

Reports say Fulham have tabled a £24m offer for Shea Charles, which Tonda Eckert’s Southampton have rejected. The Cottagers, beginning the Premier League season under top-flight novice Alvaro Arbeloa, have joined the chase. Leeds United were also knocked back earlier.

According to Sky Sports, newly promoted Cardiff City are prepared to pay £7.8m for Jens Hjerto-Dahl, who is considering a move to Wales, with Rangers also interested.

Fulham could return with an improved bid, which would test Saints’ resolve. If £25m or more is tabled, Southampton may consider a sale, with Caspar Jander and Flynn Downes available to cover.

Southampton were tentatively linked with Hjerto-Dahl in June, but that interest has cooled. If Charles departs and Dahl heads to Cardiff, they could regret not moving sooner.

Charles has drawn wide Premier League interest and impressed last season, scoring six goals, including the playoff semi-final second-leg winner against Middlesbrough. Hjerto-Dahl has seven in 14 league games this year, including a recent long-range strike. Their styles appear similar, with Charles averaging 4.7 duels won and 4.4 ball recoveries per league game, compared to Hjerto-Dahl’s 4.4 and 5.1.

Source: Sainstmarching.com