Man Utd eyeing £20m star as search widens for midfield reinforcements

Manchester United are reportedly expressing an interest in Southampton midfielder Shea Charles ahead of the summer transfer window.

Charles is enjoying an eye-catching campaign with Southampton in the Championship having returned to his parent club following an outstanding loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday last term.

The 22-year-old further enhanced his burgeoning reputation at the weekend as he came off the bench to score a late winner in the Saints’ stunning victory over Arsenal to reach the FA Cup semi-finals.

He also found the net against Liverpool in the third round of the Carabao Cup earlier this season and his performances have not gone unnoticed, with a host of top teams beginning to circle.

According to Daily Mail Sport, United and Everton are among the ever-growing list of teams sending scouts to watch Charles as he continues to go from strength to strength at St Mary’s.

United have identified central midfield as their key area of focus for the summer it’s claimed Charles is viewed as a cheaper alternative to the likes of Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali, who would command far greater transfer fees.

With Casemiro confirmed to be leaving and Manuel Ugarte set to follow suit, it’s not inconceivable that United sign more than one midfielder – and the Red Devils are exploring possible options at either end of their budget.

Southampton value Charles in the region of £20million, meaning they stand to make a tidy profit on the Northern Ireland international who they signed for a fee of just £11m from Manchester City in 2023.

Given he was Southampton’s director of football at the time, the presence of Jason Wilcox at Old Trafford may be key to United’s interest and their pursuit going forward.

Rangers are also said to be keen, with Danny Rohl having managed Charles in his previous post at Sheffield Wednesday. The Manchester-born midfielder shone at Hillsborough last season, scooping the club’s player of the year award while also being named among the nominees for the Championship Young Player of the Year.

However, it’s unlikely Rangers would be able compete financially should a Premier League giant such as United or Everton step up their interest in Charles in the summer.

Two other Premier League sides, as well as an unnamed team in Serie A, are also said to be monitoring the highly rated Manchester City academy graduate.

Charles has just over a year remaining on his current contract with Southampton.

Later this month, Charles will be looking to replicate his heroics against Arsenal when his Southampton side head to Wembley face off against Manchester City for a place in the FA Cup final.

‘It’s really good. I scored in my previous game here at St Mary’s so to score again is special,’ Charles told TNT Sports shortly after Southampton’s cup upset on Saturday.

‘It’s incredible. We went to Wembley a couple of years ago and won promotion there so to go in the FA Cup is unbelievable.

‘It just shows how good we’ve been. Playing at home against probably the best team in the country at the moment and to play like that in the first half, it’s special.’

Charles sidelined over the winter period with a hamstring injury and Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert has been cautious with the midfielder’s return to the fold.

Asked if he was ‘angry’ not to start against Arsenal, he replied: ‘When you’re not starting games, it’s the aim to come on and make an impact.

‘It’s quite tough coming back from an injury so I feel like I’ve been put back in quite slowly.

‘But I just try to do what the manager tells me to do and thankfully I made a good impact.’

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