Leeds in ongoing talks to sign 48-cap star

Leeds United are looking to bolster the depth and quality of their options in the middle of the park with the signing of Southampton star Shea Charles this summer.

It was reported last week that the Whites were ready to accelerate their interest in a deal to bring the Northern Ireland international to Elland Road from the Championship club.

They have since had an offer of £20m turned down by the Saints, who want more for the former Manchester City ace, and talks are ongoing between the two clubs.

Leeds are said to be confident that they can strike an agreement with Tonda Eckert’s team to add Charles to Daniel Farke‘s stable of midfield options.

However, it still remains to be seen exactly how much the club will have to splash to get Southampton to agree to sell the Northern Irish talent this summer.

Leeds United in talks to sign international playmaker

It is also unclear as to what kind of role Charles would have in Farke’s squad, because he has yet to prove himself at Premier League level, despite scoring against Liverpool and Arsenal in the cup competitions last season.

The 22-year-old star may be a back-up option at first, before he proves himself, whilst the club are looking at another player who would come in to make more of an immediate impact.

According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds United are in ongoing talks with Borussia Dortmund attacking midfielder Julian Brandt about a move to Elland Road in the summer transfer window.

The report claims that the Whites are having conversations with the Germany international, and are hoping that they can persuade him to move to the Premier League in the coming weeks.

It adds that the club are also in talks with Fulham winger Harry Wilson about a potential switch to West Yorkshire, as they eye up two high-profile free agent additions.

Reports earlier this month suggested that the Whites were ready to enter the race for the German playmaker, and this latest update shows that they are firmly in contention to secure his signature.

Julian Brandt would be a better signing than Shea Charles for Leeds

Charles may struggle to nail down a regular place in the starting XI at Leeds right away, because he has yet to prove himself in one of Europe’s major leagues and will have Ao Tanaka, Ethan Ampadu, and Anton Stach in his way.

Brandt, however, would arrive at Elland Road as an experienced star who could come straight into the starting line-up as an upgrade on what Farke currently has at his disposal in the number ten role.

Brenden Aaronson started 30 of the club’s 37 matches in the Premier League last season, and ended the campaign on a run of 17 matches without a goal.

The 48-cap Germany international, meanwhile, found the back of the net seven times in just 17 starts for Dortmund in the Bundesliga last term, outperforming his xG of 5.70.

Their respective statistics in two of Europe’s major leagues suggest that Brandt would be a significantly better option than Aaronson, as he is a more effective goalscorer and creates higher-quality chances for his teammates on a regular basis.

The 30-year-old talent has had eight seasons with Dortmund or Bayer Leverkusen with double figures for goals or assists, or both, which speaks to the level of quality and consistency that he can bring at the top end of the pitch.

Aaronson, meanwhile, has never hit double figures for goals or assists in his entire professional career, peaking at nine goals in all competitions for Leeds in the 2024/25 campaign.

Brandt, therefore, should walk into Farke’s starting line-up ahead of Aaronson as a number ten behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin, but the same cannot be said for Charles because he does not have the experience to suggest that he will be an instant hit.

That means that the Dortmund star would be a better signing than the Southampton talent for next season, because his statistics and experience suggest that he would be a big upgrade for Farke’s XI, whilst the signing of Charles is a riskier deal in the hope that he will fulfill his potential.