Leeds United ‘are among admirers’ of Southampton’s Shea Charles | OneFootball

Leeds United are looking at Southampton midfielder Shea Charles, a 22-year-old with 35 Northern Ireland caps and more than 100 league appearances.

Daily Mail reports that Leeds are among clubs monitoring him this summer.

Charles played a major role in Southampton’s FA Cup run and promotion push, making 33 league and play-off outings and scoring the quarter-final winner that knocked Arsenal out.

He finished the season with six club goals, one earning March’s Championship Goal of the Month, and has eight international assists, including in Northern Ireland’s recent 2-1 defeat by France.

Signed from Manchester City in 2023 in a deal worth up to £15m, he has one year left on his contract, with Saints holding an option for a further year. Premier League sides are expected to test their resolve this summer.

Leeds have clear needs, with left-back light as Gabriel Gudmundsson is the only senior left-footed option, January interest in Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolves reflecting a desire for more depth up front.

Operating primarily as a deep midfielder and occasionally at centre-back, Charles would add competition and cover for Ethan Ampadu and can step in as an 8. Midfield roles shifted under Daniel Farke, with Sean Longstaff and Ao Tanaka in and out, while Ilia Gruev’s meniscus injury cut short his campaign ahead of a planned pre-season return. Exits are expected alongside signings, so midfield could be an area for trading.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk