Manchester United view Northern Ireland star as 'high-potential option' for transfer move
Manchester United have reportedly identified Northern Ireland international Shea Charles as a “high-potential option who would come at a lower cost” for their summer midfield rebuild – and could now swoop after Southampton were dumped out of the Championship play-offs.
Charles scored a winner for the Saints against Middlesbrough last week to set up a Premier League shoot-out against Hull City in what is often dubbed the ‘richest game in football’, but the English Football League have thrown Southampton out amid their ‘Spygate’ controversy.
Southampton’s appeal against the decision was rejected on Wednesday evening with the club also handed a four-point penalty for next term.
It has dashed Charles’ immediate chances of playing in England’s top-flight, but the 22-year-old has a host of admirers with Everton and United credited with interest.
Michael Carrick, who is set to be named permanent United manager after sealing their Champions League return for next season, will require midfield reinforcements with Casemiro departing the club this summer.
United have reportedly identified the likes of Elliott Anderson, Ederson and Aurélien Tchouaméni as top options, but with potential eye-watering transfer fees required, the Red Devils are assessing the market.
While some players could be valued at around £100million, Charles’ price tag has been set at £20million with United sending scouts to assess his performances.
Charles has been discussed as a second midfielder to go alongside a more high-profile arrival – and already has a big fan in the United hierarchy.
Jason Wilcox, United’s Director of Football, signed Charles in a deal that could reach £15million during his time in a similar role at Southampton and also previously held a position at Manchester City, another of the Northern Ireland star’s former clubs.
Charles has developed into a key player for Northern Ireland since making his debut in June 2022 and will be key to the country’s chance of qualifying for Euro 2028 under Michael O’Neill.
He has earned 33 international caps and been named captain on three occasions, including for Nations League fixtures against Belarus and Luxembourg in 2024.
Securing a move to one of the world’s most famous clubs could be a further boost for the international team and O’Neill previously predicted Charles could play at the highest level.
“Shea is a player who since we put him in the team has taken an enormous amount of responsibility on the pitch for such a young player so putting an armband on him doesn’t change that,” said O’Neill in 2024 after naming Charles captain. “I think Shea has the attributes to play at the highest level of the game.
"He also has the temperament to play at the highest level and that’s what you are looking for as a captain.
“Whether Shea has the armband or not he is always going to be one of your leaders on the pitch. He deserves this opportunity.
“We all know his quality of passing and understanding of the game.
"You can tell he has been at a club where he has been coached at the highest level of the game but where he has really improved is without the ball...in the Championship you have to do that."