Leeds United have continued their impressive summer recruitment by completing the £34m signing of Tarik Muharemovic from Sassuolo, another statement of intent ahead of the new Premier League season.
The Bosnia international officially joined the club on Friday, becoming the second-most expensive signing in Leeds’ history as the 49ers continued to back Daniel Farke in the transfer market.
Leeds are also making strong progress in their pursuit of a new first-choice goalkeeper, with James Trafford having made it clear he wants to complete a move to Elland Road.
Midfield remains another area the club are looking to strengthen. Although Farke has no shortage of options there, he believes the squad still needs greater quality if Leeds are to take the next step in the Premier League.
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The Whites are still looking to strengthen in several key areas before the transfer window closes. A goalkeeper, an attacking midfielder, a striker and a back-up left-back all remain on the club’s shortlist.
However, their pursuit of midfield reinforcements has hit a stumbling block. Southampton have rejected three Leeds bids for Shea Charles, leaving negotiations at a standstill.
The Yorkshire club are unwilling to increase their latest offer and will only revive talks if Southampton soften their asking price.
Southampton also knocked back an offer from Fulham this week, leading to speculation that they could price Charles out of a move.
Sources speaking exclusively to The Leeds Press have confirmed that the midfielder is now pushing for a move out of Southampton.
With Southampton preparing to fly out to Germany for their pre-season tour, the Northern Ireland international has made it clear that he wants to leave the club.
While he has not submitted a formal transfer request, his stance significantly increases the pressure on the Saints as they head off for pre-season later today.
Leeds United’s patience with Shea Charles may still pay off
Leeds remain firm in their stance that they will not overpay for Shea Charles and have no intention of matching Southampton’s £30 million valuation this summer.
That said, the Whites have not abandoned their pursuit. They believe the situation could shift later in the window, particularly now that Charles has made it clear he wants to leave St Mary’s.
With just a year remaining on his contract, Southampton know this is their last realistic opportunity to secure a significant transfer fee. If no club are willing to meet their asking price, there is a growing expectation that the Saints will eventually lower their demands.
Charles is understood to be keen on a move to Elland Road, and Leeds are hopeful his desire to leave Southampton will increase the pressure on the club as deadline day approaches.
Don’t offer anymore, way overpriced!
All interested clubs should back out of negotiating with Southampton for their own benefit. A line must be drawn in the sand now to put and end to Stand and Deliver saga that increasingly demotes football from the sport it once was. We all accept investment in developing players must be rewarded but there is a point at which a level of honesty has to be introduced. If the club has no intention to accept less than a certain amount then they shouldn’t play games pretending to negotiate a lower sum. it unsettles the player, the fans and stops interested clubs spending money and time for legitimate targets. Football should return to being a sport.