Southampton close in on £11m capture of Man City midfielder Shea Charles

Manchester City midfielder Shea Charles is closing on an £11million transfer to Southampton.

As revealed in Mail Sport’s Transfer Confidential this week, Southampton had earmarked Charles as they brace themselves to lose Liverpool target Romeo Lavia and James Ward-Prowse.

Charles, 19, has come through City’s academy and followed Lavia’s path through the club’s U21s.

Highly regarded, Charles has impressed with his maturity and level of performances while in international duty with Northern Ireland.

It has led to a number of sides, including Borussia Dortmund, Schalke, Leicester and Leeds United, monitoring his progress and weighing up bids.

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However, Southampton director of football operations Jason Wilcox has utilised his knowledge and relationship with City to put his new club in the box seat and a deal will be clinched this weekend pending a medical.

City will also insert a sell-on and buy-back clause in the deal for Charles – as they did with Lavia last year.

Southampton want £50m for Belgian Lavia who has interest from Liverpool and Chelsea notably, while Arsenal and Manchester United have also discussed a move.

Southampton braced to to lose Liverpool target Romeo Lavia and James Ward-Prowse

No bids have come in as yet, though Southampton expect movement soon with Ward-Prowse, who has several clubs keen including West Ham and Fulham. 

Southampton want £40m for Ward-Prowse but suitors hope to prise him away for almost half that.

Wilcox has ensured that by lining up Charles he has a quality midfield prospect ready to replace any outgoings.

Meanwhile, Southampton have signed Manchester City goalkeeper Josh McNamara, 19, on a two year deal. City winger Morgan Rogers, 20, is joining Middlesbrough. 

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