Southampton have started their summer transfer window well, confirming the signings of last season’s loanees Daniel Peretz and Cyle Larin.
The pair set the club back a combined £9 million, but a huge amount of that has been recouped at St Mary’s following former player Mateus Fernandes’ signing for Tottenham Hotspur, with Southampton taking 15% of the profits made by West Ham in the deal.
Club Chairman and investor in Sport Republic, Dragan Solak, has confirmed that the Saints will opt to only act in the transfer window should current players depart.
One player being linked with a move away is Northern Irish midfielder Shea Charles - but Southampton have been handed a boost in their quest to keep the 22-year-old.
Leeds turn their attention
Premier League side Leeds United have already made two bids for Shea Charles this transfer window, but both have been rejected by Southampton.
Following weeks of slow progress in a potential deal struck between the two parties, Leeds United have now turned their attention elsewhere.
According to Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport, Leeds are now in negotiations for Parma midfielder Mandela Keita. The Serie A club are demanding €30 million (£25.7m) for the 24-year-old.
Signing Keita will likely mean Leeds pay around what they would to get Shea Charles. But the Belgian comes with top-flight experience unlike the Saints star, a factor the club will favour in striking a deal for the Parma footballer.
Southampton sticking to demands
The Saints are staying resolute in their valuation, and it appears Shea Charles won't be pushing for a transfer away from St Mary’s anytime soon.
Charles told the Belfast Telegraph while on international duty for Northern Ireland in June, “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.”
And pre-season is now a reality just around the corner for Southampton, with players returning this week for testing, as the work really begins.
For now, Shea Charles is heading nowhere and will arrive at Staplewood soon, as Southampton begin their promotion quest.
Tonda Eckert’s side faced a punishment deemed by the club as unjust following their involvement in ‘Spygate’ at the end of the 2025/26 campaign, but won’t let the past get in their way of pushing for the same goal next season, as long as the FA’s ongoing investigation doesn’t ruin their plans.
Add us as a preferred source on Google