Southampton could now be left with a big what-if after Shea Charles bombshell

The Shea Charles transfer saga that has been going on all summer at Southampton could finally have an end in sight.

At one stage this off-season, it looked nailed on that Leeds United were going to win the coveted services of the Northern Irishman.

Now, however, it looks as if Fulham have beaten all the frenzied Premier League competition to his signature, with Crystal Palace once noted as being another interested party looking at the ex-Manchester City starlet.

It's all starting to click on the transfer front for the Saints, with another sale in the pipeline as well.

Charles isn't the only Saints sale

Alongside Charles being on the move, it is now being reported that Jay Robinson will be leaving Tonda Eckert's men this summer for a loan opportunity at AC Monza.

This is a huge opportunity for Robinson, who has shown glimpses of his ability in the Saints first-team picture, when he hasn't been injured, with Serie A hopefully giving him the platform to impress, away from his boyhood club.

Going back to Charles, though, and it appears the Cottagers are now in advanced negotiations when it comes to winning the much-talked-about number 24.

As per Sky Sports Germany report Florian Plettenberg, a bid of £25m has finally been accepted by Eckert and Co, with personal terms almost agreed.

The Daily Mail is further reporting that Southampton wanted to be stubborn about their £30m asking price, but Charles is adamant he wants Premier League football, over another Championship promotion challenge.

It is all coming about very quickly, after weeks of speculation with no movement.

Will the Saints dip their toes into the market to replace one of their star performers from last season?

They do already have Flynn Downes and Caspar Jander at their disposal centrally, but with Jander also subject to interest this summer, the Championship side will surely have some tentative targets in mind.

This midfield replacement is definitely off the shopping list, however, with the South Coast side now left with an agonising what-if, as this target would have been an ideal successor to the departing 22-year-old.

Southampton will be left with a big what-if after Charles sale

Fulham isn't the only Premier League outfit about to secure an eye-catching buy in the middle of the park.

Indeed, Hull City look set to welcome Jens Hjerto Dahl to their ranks, ahead of their daunting top-flight voyage setting sail this month, with the Tromso starlet costing around the £10m mark to obtain.

The Tigers have swooped in and won their desired target ahead of Cardiff City in the Championship, with Southampton also named in the past as a club who should be looking at the Norway U21 international by various Saints writers.

Unfortunately, the 20-year-old will be calling Hull home this coming season, over St. Mary's, with Dahl a potentially perfect replacement for Charles, in an alternate reality.

In 2026 alone, he has seven goals in Eliteseren action for Tromso, which shows off his ability to be ice-cold in front of goal, like Charles in so many nail-biting matches last season for Eckert's men.

With 4.4 duels also won on average this year in the Norwegian top division, Dahl is a very well-balanced midfield figure he would likely have taken the Championship by storm. At just 20, too, he could seriously explode into life.

Hull have been the lucky club to win his services, though, as the top-flight underdogs hope standout additions such as this £10m acquisition joining the building helps them to pull off an unlikely survival story.

Southampton will likely have other targets and signings in mind, with the added cash injection of Charles' sale falling into their bank shortly.

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