Daniel Farke’s midfield options have immediately dwindled following the end of the 2024-25 season, going from five senior Leeds United players to now only three.
Josuha Guilavogui was always going to leave at the end of his contract having signed a deal until the end of the season, as an emergency free agent arrival following injuries to duo Ilia Gruev and Ethan Ampadu.
Meanwhile, Joe Rothwell’s loan has come to an end and while there is a chance Leeds try to lure the set-piece specialist back to Elland Road next term, there is not as much clamour to do a deal as first thought.
That leaves Daniel Farke with just Ampadu, Gruev and Ao Tanaka as options in the middle of the park, with Charlie Crew likely to go on loan. Leeds need a midfielder and a Southampton star is now on the list.
Photo By Ben McShane/Sportsfile via Getty Images
Photo By Ben McShane/Sportsfile via Getty Images
Leeds are now targeting Southampton ace Shea Charles
The Daily Mail say 25-time Northern Ireland midfielder Shea Charles is a target for Leeds, who like the look of the Saints star. Charles joined Southampton for £15m from Man City in the summer of 2023.
Having played 38 times for Southampton during 2023-24 but remained an unused sub for the play-off final – alongside Rothwell – Charles joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan for the 2024-25 campaign.
Such was his form under Danny Rohl, Charles was nominated for the Championship’s Young Player of the Season award. Of course, Sunderland’s Jobe Bellingham won the title but Charles deserves credit.
Charles’ FotMob rating of 7.28 was the 23rd-best in the Championship last season, better than Joe Rodon, Rothwell and even Dan James. A goal and five assists in his 44 Sheffield Wednesday matches last season.
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
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What Pep Guardiola has said about Shea Charles in the past
Charles only ever managed one senior outing for Man City, in a Premier League match against Brentford back in 2023. After the match, Guardiola told Man City’s website just how much Charles impressed him.
“I’m pretty sure it’s a big moment for him. We know him, he trains quite regularly with us, he’s so good, so composed. He played really good and it’s fantastic for the academy,” Guardiola said before his exit.
Whether Charles is ready for the step up to the Premier League remains to be seen. But what is for sure, is that he was excellent in the Championship last season and Leeds wanted Charles before he joined Saints.