Shea Charles missing from Southampton opener as Leeds talks stall | OneFootball

Shea Charles was missing from Southampton’s squad for their pre-season opener at Eastleigh, with talks over a move to Leeds United yet to yield a breakthrough.

According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, Leeds have submitted offers for the 22-year-old this summer, the latest reportedly rising to £25m, while Fulham and Crystal Palace are also interested. Southampton are understood to value the midfielder at around £30m and discussions appear at an impasse.

Charles returned to pre-season last week after June duty with Northern Ireland, later than many team-mates, but he did not feature in Saturday’s friendly.

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 line-ups for each half and Charles was not in either.

Given his later return, it is likely he was not deemed fit enough to play yet. Striker Ben Brereton Diaz also seemed short of the required fitness, 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. He remains a Leeds target. Last week the Elland Road club completed their first fee-paying signing of the summer, centre-back Tarik Muharemovic in a £34m deal from Sassuolo, following free agent arrival Harry Wilson as Daniel Farke’s second addition.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk