Leeds United among summer admirers for vastly experienced and versatile Championship youngster

Shea Charles was a big part of Southampton's FA Cup run and promotion push last season, making 33 league and play-off appearances and scoring the goal that knocked Arsenal out of the cup in the quarter-finals. The midfielder is still only 22 but has vast experience for his age, with 35 international caps already under his belt for Northern Ireland. He is considered one of Michael O'Neill's most important players and has worn the captain's armband on a number of occasions. Charles has eight assists to his name at international level, including setting up Northern Ireland's goal in their recent 2-1 defeat by France. The midfielder shone for his country in that game and could have walked off with a couple more assists, having made good chances. Last season he showed an eye for goal and a taste for the spectacular with six goals for his club, one of which won the Championship Goal of the Month award for March.

Charles was signed from Manchester City in 2023 in a deal worth up to £15m and he has one year left on his contract at St Mary's, though Saints do hold an option for a further year. This summer Southampton's resolve is expected to be tested with a number of Premier League clubs eyeing the midfield talent. Leeds are one of those clubs, as the Daily Mail have reported. The YEP understands Charles is a player the Whites like the look of, though their interest is yet to progress beyond admiration.

There are obvious areas in need of strengthening this summer at Elland Road, including left-back where Gabriel Gudmundsson remains the only senior left-footed option for Daniel Farke. Their January attempt to land Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolves showed that they consider more depth up top as a priority and Farke has made it clear they need more individual quality. A player like Charles, who often operates in a deep-lying role and has also featured at centre-back a handful of times in the Championship, would strengthen Farke's competition and back-up for club captain Ethan Ampadu. Ilia Gruev is another who plays in a deeper midfield position at Leeds, but Charles' ability to protect and advance the ball and his desire to get forward also allow him to play as an 8. He has shown his creativity in action for his country, taking on the playmaking responsibility for O'Neill's side. And at 6ft 2ins he carries decent size, competes well in the air and covers distance with ease.

How willing Farke would be to start the 22-year-old in Premier League action is a question the player and his camp would doubtless be asking but there was plenty of chopping and changing in the Leeds midfield last season. Sean Longstaff appeared to have nailed down a place, before slipping down the pecking order and ending his Elland Road debut season as an impact player off the bench. Ao Tanaka was in and out, then benched completely for a spell, though he finished the campaign well. Gruev's season was ended prematurely by a meniscus injury and he is expected to return in time for pre-season. It would not be a stretch of the imagination to suggest there is room for another central midfielder in the squad, particularly a youngster with potential to grow, and exits are expected along with new signings in the summer window. It could be that midfield is an area in which Leeds decide to do some trading.