Fulham are now ready to submit a bid for Southampton midfielder Shea Charles, and manager Alvaro Arbeloa has approved the move.
After the Saints were denied the opportunity to take part in the Championship play-off final due to the Spygate scandal, Charles, who is valued at £25m, has emerged as a target for a number of Premier League clubs, including Leeds United and Crystal Palace.
The Cottagers have now entered contention, and it is clear to see why, with the central midfielder putting in some stellar defensive performances in the Championship last season, averaging 2.1 tackles per 90, which was the second-highest number in the Saints’ squad.
However, the Northern Irishman is also capable of making a difference further up the pitch, according to international boss Michael O’Neill, who praised him after a 5-0 victory against Bulgaria back in October 2024.
O’Neill said: “Shea was always a player we looked to build up passing, but his ability now to carry the ball from midfield. At this level, he looks so comfortable. He is 20 years of age and playing against (Georgi) Kostadinov who has 45 international caps.
“Shea blows players away at times. I think regular game time at club level is the thing that Shea has been lacking, and he gets that at international level. He knows he will play with us and have a lot of responsibility, and he loves it. It fuels him and he takes it in his stride. He is a massive player for us.”
The central midfielder’s attacking prowess was on display in the FA Cup last season, scoring the winner in Southampton’s shock 2-1 victory against Arsenal, which booked their place in the semi-final.
Fulham readying Shea Charles move
According to a report from The Daily Mail, Fulham are now ready to submit a £24m bid for Charles, which is just short of the Saints’ valuation of £24m plus add-ons.
Arbeloa has now approved a move for the 22-year-old, and talks are expected to progress, with the Cottagers looking to hijack Leeds, who have already had three proposals knocked back.
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Will Fulham sign Shea Charles? |
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Fulham close to Southampton’s valuation |
There are encouraging signs that a deal could be possible. Southampton have been holding out for £25m, and the Cottagers’ opening bid is set to be just short of that. Even if the Saints refuse to drop their asking price, the two parties aren’t far apart. |
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Craven Cottage move could be tempting |
The appeal of joining Fulham instead of Leeds is clear. Arbeloa’s side are far more established as a Premier League club, having spent the last four seasons in the division, and they have pushed for European qualification at times. Leeds, on the other hand, were relegation candidates throughout the 2025-26 campaign. |
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More established options available |
That said, Charles has never tested himself in the Premier League, and Fulham have identified some more experienced targets. Ross Barkley is among them, with the midfielder keen to receive more game time, after only playing a bit-part role for Aston Villa last season. |
Fulham also remain interested in signing a new striker, and they have received a boost in their pursuit of AS Monaco star Folarin Balogun.
The French side are now prepared to sell the USMNT star this summer, although a deal could be on the expensive side, as they are demanding £40m.
