Over the course of the weekend, Leeds United seemed to intensify their interest in a few different players ahead of Tuesday’s first summer deadline before the window reopens.
The 49ers have set aside a whopping £150m for new transfers this summer, with four positions deemed as priorities. A new goalkeeper, a centre-back, a central midfielder and a proven top-flight centre-forward.
Talks to sign Jaka Bijol are set to intensify this week, with the Udinese star now the clear favourite to be the centre-back Leeds target. It comes at the same time that Leeds have informed Max Wober he will go.
Leeds had targeted Caoimhin Kelleher in goal but he has joined Brentford and the identity of a striker Leeds will pursue remains up in the air. But in midfield, Leeds may go after Southampton’s Shea Charles.
Photo By Ben McShane/Sportsfile via Getty ImagesWhat David Healy predicted about Leeds target Shea Charles
Bought by Southampton from Man City for £15m in 2023, 21-year-old Charles helped Southampton get promoted before starring on loan at Sheffield Wednesday last season – clocking up 44 appearances.
He was nominated for the Championship’s Young Player of the Season award after his stunning form in a Wednesday shirt. Now a 25-time Northern Ireland international, Leeds want to land Charles this summer.
Speaking to BBC Sport back in October, Leeds icon David Healy said he thinks Charles can become the next Northern Ireland captain despite his age. He has captained Northern Ireland, but so have others.
“Since the moment Shea Charles has stepped on the field at Windsor Park you have seen quality so if the captaincy is going to be switched around I would say potentially Shea Charles,” Healy said back in 2024.
Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images
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What Josh Windass said about Wednesday teammate Charles
Windass is staying put at Wednesday despite prior links to Neymar’s Santos and watched Charles at first hand during the 2024-25 season. Jobe Bellingham was named the Championship’s Young Player of 24-25.
But on his LinkedIn page, Windass said: “Gutted for Shea not winning Young Player of the Year at The EFL awards last night, he truly deserved it. Brilliant young player, brilliant character and a leader already.”
Whether Leeds pursue Charles remains to be seen, with plenty of other midfielders on the Leeds radar including Habib Diarra and Hidemasa Morita. But if Leeds do sign Charles, he could be a real gem.