Southampton won't be parting ways with Shea Charles easily.
Indeed, it has come to light that the Saints value Charles far above the £20m Leeds United have offered for his services, and for good reason, too.
The Northern Ireland international consistently delivered top-drawer performances last campaign in the Championship, with last-minute goals coupled with a constant desire to make things happen on the ball.
If Leeds cough up a bit more cash, they will likely win their desired target, but the South Coast club haven't just had Charles in recent years, when it comes to midfielders who have caught the eye in a second-tier promotion battle.
Will Smallbone was a much-loved Saints figure during the 2023/24 season, which ended in Russell Martin guiding his memorable group to promotion.
In a way, the 26-year-old was the original Charles at St. Mary's, before the Manchester-born battler came into his own.
How Smallbone was the original Charles
While the Republic of Ireland international is well-known now for being a constant presence in the treatment room, the 23/24 season really did see him hit his peak for his boyhood club.
As has been previously mentioned, last campaign saw Charles pop up with some magical last-minute strikes, including a late winner against Arsenal in the FA Cup, alongside a last-gasp goal against Swansea City.
Smallbone was equally heroic throughout the Saints' last promotion season, as he scored the vital strike that broke the deadlock in the Championship playoff semi-finals against West Bromwich Albion, before assisting Adam Armstrong's calmly taken opportunity in the playoff final at Wembley versus Leeds United.
Smallbone & Charles' similarities:
Stat - per 90 mins* | Smallbone (23/24) | Charles (25/26) |
|---|---|---|
Games played | 43 | 33 |
Goals scored | 6 | 4 |
Assists | 3 | 2 |
Accurate passes* | 43.9 (90%) | 33.2 (85%) |
Big chances created | 8 | 4 |
Ball recoveries* | 3.2 | 4.3 |
Total duels won* | 1.8 | 4.7 |
The table above further reinforces his similarities to the Leeds-linked star, with Smallbone showing off his impressive passing range throughout the season, coming in at a 90% average per league contest. Charles has just come in at an 85% pass accuracy, as the 22-year-old now looks destined for a Premier League move.
Unfortunately, the 26-year-old failed to make a name for himself in the Premier League, despite having such a promising Championship campaign, with a disrupted loan stint with Millwall last season, as injuries constantly got the better of him, proving to be his final straw at St. Mary's.
Just two years on from lighting up the playoffs, Smallbone is now a free agent, with an emotional farewell message posted to social media recently.
Smallbone's emotional farewell message
Football is an extremely fast-paced sport, with Smallbone once considered a key performer in the Southampton machine.
He has been chucked to one side, with no new contract agreed, seeing him walk away from his club in a heartbreaking turn of events.
Charles has seen how breakneck the beautiful game can be, too, as he has gone from being a wide-eyed loanee at Sheffield Wednesday to a star who is on the cusp of a Premier League shot at glory.
Unsurprisingly, Smallbone's farewell message, via his Instagram, was an emotional one to take in, as he had been on the St. Mary's books since 2008.
Will Smallbone bids farewell via Instagram ❤️📲#saintsfc pic.twitter.com/SXmoJjVOnf
— The Saint Centre (@TheSaintCentre) June 22, 2026
Bringing a near 20-year association with the club to a close, the 26-year-old acknowledged that the Saints will always "hold a special place in his heart" among other emotive snippets from his statement.
There will be a wide array of emotions at the moment at St. Mary's, with Smallbone leaving overwhelmingly sad.
Alongside his exit, potentially losing Charles will be a kick in the teeth, but in both instances, the Saints masses will be wishing them well, whatever does transpire next.
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