Sheffield United and Rangers 'set to battle' to sign ex-Sheffield Wednesday star Shea Charles from Southampton
Sheffield United are reportedly set to battle Rangers for the services of ex-Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Shea Charles.
The 22-year-old spent the 2024/25 season on loan at Wednesday, shining in midfield as Danny Rohl rejuvenated the Owls.
He scooped the club’s Player of the Year award and endeared himself to the Hillsborough faithful before returning to parent club Southampton.
It has been a bumpy season for the Saints so far but Charles has featured regularly, nailing down a starting spot in the newly-relegated club’s XI.
Shea Charles transfer link emerges
However, it has been suggested the Northern Ireland international could soon be the subject of an offer from the red side of the Steel City.
Sheffield United have previously been linked with the Manchester City academy graduate and according to SportsBoom, remain keen on him.
It has been claimed the Blades will battle with Rangers, led by Charles’ former Wednesday boss Rohl, for the midfielder’s signature if Southampton decide to cash in.
That could well prove to be a big ‘if’, with Charles a key figure for Southampton and someone considered to have a high ceiling.
Chris Wilder’s January stance
When pressed regarding speculation regarding Charles in January, Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder said: “We know a lot about him, I know his agent really well, he’s a local boy. He's got players, other clubs have got players.
"He is a player we identified in the summer, as we have to because we're all doing their jobs, whether that’s us or Sheffield Wednesday. That wasn't a wind-up, even though I get it and people thought it might have.”
Sheffield United desperately need reinforcement when the winter transfer window opens, but signing a player of Charles’ calibre could prove difficult if they are still in the relegation zone.
The Blades recently dipped into the free agent market to bolster their frontline, landing former Leeds United marksman Patrick Bamford. The 32-year-old has followed Jairo Riedewald through the door as a post-window signing at Bramall Lane.