Leeds United have made an improved offer to sign Southampton midfielder Shea Charles this week, looking to reach an agreement with the EFL club.

One signing is due to be imminently announced this week with Harry Wilson agreed on a free transfer. More should be on the way not long after that as Daniel Farke welcomes his squad back to pre-season soon.

The top target at the moment is Southampton midfielder Shea Charles, and after movement elsewhere for a star Championship midfielder, we should fancy our chances.

Leeds United make another bid for Shea Charles – £23million up front with add-ons on top

Leeds’ interest in signing the Northern Ireland international has been serious. Two previous offers were reported previously, first of £20million, and then of £25million.

Both were knocked back as the Saints aim to hold out for a total package of £30million to part ways. Charles, 22, has a contract until 2027, but his club importantly hold the option to extend by a further year, essentially meaning he has two years left on his deal.

Now, the Daily Mail’s Simon Jones reports again that United have lodged another bid for Charles. This time, Leeds have submitted a bid of £23million up front, with add-ons on top of that.

You’d think such a bid surely puts Leeds on the cusp of reaching an agreement to sign the versatile and talented midfielder.

“Southampton value the Northern Ireland, who they bought from Manchester City, at around £30million. City are understood to have a 15 percent sell-on clause on Charles,” Jones writes.

“Leeds hope the extra add-ons can help towards a compromise agreement.”

However, talkSPORT’s Alex Crook has since shared that this offer has been knocked back by the Saints. He also states that the offer didn’t amount to the reported £23million plus add-ons, and is “way short” of Saints’ valuation.

Will Leeds United sign Shea Charles, or should we walk away?

It’s hard to see how Southampton can keep holding their own with such money being put down for a player that isn’t even a nailed on starter.

Charles is capable of playing Premier League football right now, though. And, I think this is a smart signing if Leeds can get it done.

He adds real physicality, technical quality, running power, and importantly depth behind Ethan Ampadu as natural cover. That’s hard to come by and this fee might look very small in two years’ time.

I wouldn’t want Leeds to be paying an absurd sum for someone who doesn’t walk into our lineup. But, you can’t complain at the club looking to smart squad building signings like Charles.

This rejected approach, though, makes it seem completely reasonable if we just walk away. There’s so much value in Europe for midfielders, and Charles isn’t the only wise investment out there.

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