Championship boss confirms interest in Southampton’s Charles
SHEFFIELD United boss Chris Wilder confirmed interest in Shea Charles is not “a wind-up” with the midfielder a fan-favourite currently at their bitter rivals.
Charles, 20, is set to return to Saints having been recalled from his loan at Sheffield Wednesday, where he has made 24 appearances in the Championship.
Wednesday want to keep the Northern Ireland international and Saints could be willing to agree another deal if an additional loan fee was paid for his services.
It means Charles could cross the Sheffield divide and head to Wednesday’s bitter rivals, the Blades, before the winter deadline in February.
“We know a lot about him. I know his agent really well, he’s a local boy, and have done for 20/30 years,” Wilder said, when asked about Charles.
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder on signing Ben Brereton Diaz permanently: “100%. This is something that hopefully grows in the next 19 games. If we are where we want to be in the summer then he’s certainly someone we’d love the opportunity of speaking to.”#SaintsFC
“He’s got players, other clubs have got players. He’s 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 been. We’ve lost Ollie Arblaster, Tom Davies is coming back from injury.
“Sydie Peck is doing outstandingly well and everyone has seen how much we miss Vini Souza when he’s not part of the group,” Wilder continued.
“We’re looking for players of quality and pedigree and he was on the list. We’ll see where we go in the next week but a combative central midfielder, who can get about the park and break the game up and play, is on our radar and there are a lot of players who fit that bill.”
Saints hope to keep hold of Chelsea loanee Lesley Ugochukwu and the Frenchman’s fate could determine what happens with Charles in the window.
If the Blues recall the 20 year old, who has impressed under new manager Ivan Juric, Charles could be a ready-made, cost-free replacement.
Charles played 90 minutes of Sheffield Wednesday’s 3-0 defeat to Leeds despite having been recalled, with a seven-day cooldown clause before he returns.
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