Leeds United have been trying to sign Southampton's Shea Charles but could look elsewhere
Brian Dick Reach Football Correspondent
07:00, 09 Jul 2026
Celtic’s Arne Engels doubled the champions’ lead
View Image
Arne Engels could leave Celtic this summer(Image: Jane Barlow/PA)
Leeds United have struggled to prise Shea Charles from Southampton, with the Championship club rejecting two bids for the midfielder.
United are reported to have offered up to £23million for the youngster who has spent the last two seasons at St Mary’s after coming through at Manchester City.
While the Whites are yet to land their man – and it has been claimed they have ended their pursuit – what it does suggest is they are looking to fortify Daniel Farke’s midfield.
They clearly have no mood to be held to ransom for a player who has potential but who at 22-years-old has played 37 minutes of Premier League football.
Inevitably they will have other targets on their list – and they could consider these four options as alternatives.
Mandela Keita
Gazetta dello Sport say ‘negotiations have begun’ for Parma midfielder Mandela Keita, who is valued at around €30 million.
The defensive midfielder has been in Italy for a couple of seasons, playing 70 games, having arrived after promotion to Serie A in 2024 and helping them settle in the top flight, with a 13th place finish last season. Keita started 36 of the 38 league matches last term.
The 24-year-old came through at home town club OH Leuven, before spending a couple of years with Royal Antwerp, for whom he played in the Champions League.
Daichi Kamada
Having spent the last two seasons at Crystal Palace the 29-year-old is technically out of contract. He signed a two-year deal when he followed Oliver Glasner from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2024 and at the end of last term was offered a new one.
However, while it seems probable he will sign it, the Japan international is yet to put pen to paper and given his Premier League track record he is a known commodity, one that would fit well into several top flight squads.
At this stage of his career the former Lazio man would not have much sell-on value – but as a free transfer that wouldn’t matter as much.
Jordan James
A relegation to League One on a player’s CV isn’t the most ringing endorsement for a Premier League move – but James was the only Leicester City player to emerge from the wreckage of last season with his reputation enhanced.
The Birmingham academy product was on loan at the King Power Stadium having joined Stade Rennais in 2024 and he had an excellent campaign in an otherwise crumbling team.
Deployed as a No. 8 or No. 10 he made an impact in advanced positions to score 11 goals and was named Championship Young Player of the Year.
He’s back at Rennes but has been linked with a £10m move to Crystal Palace. West Ham are also rumoured to be keen. Ouest France claim Rennes are looking for €15m (£13m).
At just 22-years-old he is a powerful ball-carrier and a quality finisher – but one with the physique and desire to play in a deeper midfield role.
Arne Engels
Nottingham Forest made a late bid to sign the Celtic midfielder in the January transfer window – with two deadline day offers. In the end Celtic played hard-ball.
The 22-year-old has been with the Scottish Premiership champions since arriving from Augsburg in 2024 and has won the league in both years. He has also scored 17 goals and assisted 21 more from 98 appearances as a defensive midfielder.
Article continues below
He has two years left on his contract and could well leave Glasgow this summer with Sunderland, Forest, Torino and Roma among several sides credited with an interest. Celtic would land a big windfall on their club record signing.
FOLLOW OUR LUFC FACEBOOK PAGE!Latest news, analysis and more on our Leeds United FB page
Here at LeedsLive, we are dedicated to bringing you the bestLeeds Unitedcoverage and analysis. Make sure you don't miss out on the latest Leeds news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clickinghereto subscribe. You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Clickhereto be sent all the day's biggest stories.