Leeds United are ramping up work behind the scenes as they seek to get their transfer business going this summer and improve the squad.
Daniel Farke wants the board to show more ambition and sign upgrades for a team that outpaced expectations and finished 14th in the Premier League last season.
Leeds are pushing ahead with a deal to sign Sporting Lisbon centre-back for a club-record fee. But more needs to be done, and the club are considering bringing in midfield reinforcements.
And a recent report suggests that Leeds are working on a deal to bring in a player whose game has a striking resemblance to club captain Ethan Ampadu.
Leeds United are set to make a bid for Shea Charles
Shea Charles missed out on promotion to the Premier League this season following the Spygate scandal that kicked Southampton out of the playoff final.
He is one of the players who could move on from the Saints in the upcoming transfer window amid interest from Premier League clubs.
Leeds have been keeping tabs on the 22-year-old Northern Ireland midfielder who has 35 caps on the international stage and feels ready to play at the top level.
According to The Daily Mail, Leeds are considering making an offer for the young midfielder in the ongoing transfer window.
He is one of the names on Leeds’ shortlist of targets, and the club are preparing to make a move to take him to Elland Road this summer.
Southampton signed him from Manchester City for around £15m, and could be forced to sell him for around £20m in the ongoing transfer window.
Charles feels ready to play in the Premier League and would be open to joining Leeds as a step up for his career ahead of the new season.
He is similar to Ampadu
Leeds paid just £7m to sign Ethan Ampadu from Chelsea in 2023, and he has emerged as one of the best signings the club have made in recent years.
A move for Charles could have a similar impact, as his game is strikingly similar to the Leeds captain. Like Ampadu, he is neat on the ball and can play both as a centre-back and midfielder.
He is also calm on the ball, and his defensive instincts in the middle of the park played a big role in making him one of the most consistent midfielders in the Championship.
With Leeds strong in midfield, Charles will not be under any pressure to make an immediate impact and can learn from Ampadu and adapt to the Premier League in time.
The Whites may have to sell a midfielder before they can sign Charles. However, a move for him makes complete sense this summer.
