Three Premier League clubs fight it out for Southampton star Shea Charles

Fulham and Crystal Palace have joined the race to sign Southampton midfielder Shea Charles, talkSPORT understands.

Leeds have made securing the services of the 22-year-old a top priority this summer.

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Charles enjoyed a fine 2025/26 season for the south coast outfit – chipping in with six goals and two assists in 38 games across all competitions.

A highlight for the 35-cap Northern Ireland international came in Southampton’s FA Cup quarter-final tie against Arsenal.

With the game on course for extra time, Charles fired in an 85th minute winner in the Gunners’ first game after losing to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final.

But perhaps his biggest goal of the campaign came against Middlesbrough in the Championship play-off semi-final second leg.

Deep into extra time, Charles’ hopeful low cross from the right flank nestled into the bottom left corner to send the Saints to Wembley.

However, Charles and his Southampton teammates were denied the chance to seal an instant Premier League return after the club was expelled from the play-offs over the Spygate scandal.

Wanted man

Charles’ impressive season has seen him linked with a summer switch to England’s top-flight.

Leeds have already had two offers knocked back by Southampton for Charles, who has just one year left on his contract at St Mary’s.

It is believed that the Whites had an opening bid of £20m turned down, before again coming up short with a £23m offer.

talkSPORT understands that Southampton are holding out for a £30m fee.

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Charles was quizzed on his future last month, with the player remaining coy amid a possible summer exit.

He said: “At the moment I am focused on Southampton and the next campaign.

“Obviously we’ll see what happens when we go back into camp or pre-season.

“I’m really looking forward to going back to Southampton.”

Char char slide

Charles came up through the Citizens’ academy – making his senior debut in their final league game of the 2022/23 campaign – a 2-1 defeat at Brentford.

A move to Southampton duly followed, making 38 outings in the 2023/24 term to fire his side back into the Premier League.

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Though he would then be loaned to Sheffield Wednesday to further his development, where he scored once from 44 games.

Charles helped the Owls to 12th spot in England’s second-tier – being named their Player of the Year.

And he isn’t the only player in his family who could be moving on this summer.

Pierce Charles – who played with older brother Shea at Sheffield Wednesday – looks set to join Man City in a £10m deal.

Following the Yorkshire side’s relegation to League One, goalkeeper Charles is set to depart, where he could be immediately loaned to QPR.

Wrexham are reported to have made a late approach for Charles, but QPR appear to have won the race to land him on loan.