Leeds United target absent from pre-season opener amid transfer stalemate | OneFootball

Leeds United’s move for Shea Charles remains complicated, and the Southampton midfielder was not involved in Saturday’s pre-season opener at Eastleigh.

According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, Leeds have tabled bids, the latest reportedly up to £25m, with Fulham and Crystal Palace also thought to be interested. Talks with Southampton continue, but the clubs remain apart, with Saints thought to value him at around £30m, a figure yet to be met.

Charles, 22, reported back last week after June duty with Northern Ireland, arriving later than many teammates. He was omitted as Tonda Eckert selected separate line-ups for each half.

Southampton won 3-1 with Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Leo Scienza and £9m signing Lewis Dobbin featuring. Ben Brereton Diaz also sat out and Finn Azaz was missing with a minor injury. Charles was seemingly considered not ready for minutes.

Saints face Eintracht Braunschweig on Friday in Germany, the first of two games on their training camp. It remains unclear whether Charles will be involved.

The former Manchester City academy graduate remains on Leeds’ list. Daniel Farke has added Harry Wilson on a free and centre-back Tarik Muharemovic for £34m from Sassuolo, the club’s first fee-paying addition of the summer.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk