Leeds United target Shea Charles misses Southampton opener as talks stall over valuation | OneFootball

Leeds United target Shea Charles, a former Manchester City academy graduate, was left out of Southampton’s squad for Saturday’s pre-season opener at Eastleigh amid a transfer stalemate.

Leeds have submitted offers this summer, the latest reportedly rising to £25m, with Fulham and Crystal Palace also interested. According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, talks continue but Southampton value the 22-year-old at around £30m and are yet to receive that figure.

Charles only reported back last week after June duty with Northern Ireland. Southampton beat non-league neighbours Eastleigh 3-1 with a strong group including Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Leo Scienza and £9m signing Lewis Dobbin. Saints boss Tonda Eckert named different XIs for each half.

Given his later return, the likelihood is he was not yet deemed fit to play. Striker Ben Brereton Diaz was another seemingly not physically ready to feature, while attacking midfielder Finn Azaz missed out with a minor injury.

Southampton face Eintracht Braunschweig on Friday, the first of two games during a training camp in Germany, and it remains to be seen if Charles will be available. Leeds, meanwhile, completed their first fee-paying signing of the summer last week, centre-back Tarik Muharemovic joining from Sassuolo in a £34m deal after free agent arrival Harry Wilson.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk