Southampton “Closing In” On £9m Gem Who Could Replace JWP

Southampton are only a week out from taking part in their opening pre-season pleasant, but as issues stand there may be nonetheless loads of uncertainty relating to their squad.

What gamers have Southampton purchased?

The Saints released a number of players following their relegation from the Premier League – Theo Walcott and Mohamed Elyounoussi amongst them – whereas Mislav Orsic was sold to Trabzonspor.

Many different gamers may nonetheless depart St Mary’s forward of the switch window closing on September 1, with the likes of Romeo Lavia and skipper James Ward-Prowse attracting curiosity from top-flight golf equipment.

Russell Martin may do with resolving the futures of every of these gamers, however the brand new man in cost at Southampton will little doubt have alternate options lined up ought to any of them depart.

Incoming exercise on the south coast has up to now been fairly quiet, although younger abilities Derrick Abu and Josh McNamara have joined from Chelsea and Manchester Metropolis, respectively this week.

That may very well be a theme that the Saints observe, as switch professional Fabrizio Romano claims the Championship aspect are set to wrap up a £9m deal for Metropolis starlet, Shea Charles, with the revered insider stating on Twitter:

“Excl: Southampton are closing in on deal to signal Man Metropolis 2003 born midfielder Shea Charles. Manchester Metropolis will obtain £9m charge — it’s going to additionally embrace purchase again clause and promote on clause for #MCFC. Charles will journey this weekend for medical if all goes to plan.”

Who’s Man Metropolis midfielder Shea Charles?

Charles made his first senior appearance for European champions Metropolis on the ultimate day of the 2022-23 Premier League marketing campaign as a second-half substitute towards Brentford.

The 19-year-old performed the ultimate 27 minutes and did sufficient to catch the eye of manager Pep Guardiola.

“He performed actually good and it is implausible for the academy,” the Catalan coach stated. “We all know him. He trains fairly commonly with us. He is so good, so composed.”

Regardless of being inexperienced at senior stage, Charles – able to taking part in in defence or midfield – has impressed for Metropolis from U9 stage up, most lately guiding the membership to Premier League 2 title glory final season as captain of the aspect.

Charles’ management qualities, even when solely 19, may turn out to be useful at St Mary’s ought to Ward-Prowse depart within the coming weeks. Having proved himself at numerous ranges beneath first-team soccer, the Championship may present an ideal stepping stone for the teen to now push on.

Whereas one substitute look is hardly the largest pattern measurement, Charles confirmed towards Brentford precisely the kind of participant he’s. {The teenager} completed 23 of his 25 passes for a 92% pass-completion charge, as per FBref.

The majority of his touches (18/32) got here within the center third of the sphere, which can be the place Ward-Prowse tends to be on the ball (36.8 touches per 90 minutes in that space final season).

Charles additionally won both of his aerial duels in his cameo towards Brentford, displaying he can greater than maintain his personal when difficult for balls regardless of his inexperience.

The Northern Eire worldwide can’t be anticipated to fit straight into Southampton’s line-up and take over from the place Ward-Prowse left off, assuming the long-serving Saints star does certainly depart.

However with Metropolis clearly reluctant to let him go given the buy-back clause, Charles evidently has one thing about him that might additionally make him a Saints favorite for quite a lot of years to return.