Leeds submit bid of around £20m for Southampton midfielder Shea Charles

Leeds United have submitted a bid of around £20million for Southampton midfielder Shea Charles.

Discussions around a proposed deal for the 22-year-old are ongoing.

The Athletic reported this week that Leeds are also exploring free-agent deals for Borussia Dortmund’s Julian Brandt and Fulham’s Harry Wilson, as both players will see their contracts expire at the end of the month.

Charles joined Southampton from Manchester City in the summer of 2023 and has made 76 appearances for the Championship club, either side of a loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday in the 2024-25 season.

The 2025-26 campaign saw the midfielder score six times and provide two assists across 38 matches as Southampton reached the second tier’s play-offs with a fourth-placed finish. Charles scored in the semi-final against Middlesbrough before Tonda Eckert’s side was expelled from contention by the English Football League for allegedly attempting to spy on their opponents.

The Northern Ireland international has made one Premier League appearance, coming on for Manchester City to play 27 minutes in the 2022-23 season.

He has 35 caps and has captained his country on numerous occasions.

What could Shea Charles bring to Leeds?

Analysis by The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell

Charles has developed enormously in the previous two seasons, especially learning the role of an athletic, defensive midfielder.

Having developed initially under Russell Martin at Southampton, used as a bit-part central defender and midfielder, Charles emerged during a productive loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday.

The Northern Ireland international returned more polished and seasoned, becoming more authoritative in midfield with progressive carries through the centre of the pitch and using his mobility and stamina to cover large spaces in and out of possession.

A by-product of his Manchester City schooling, he is capable of dropping into a back three to build play but has the physical profile to be higher upfield, either as a 6 or a box to box 8, with several excellent strikes from distance last season. He is suited to a physical and high tempo team that is direct and needs athletic carriers.