Manchester United are preparing a move for Southampton midfielder Shea Charles, 22, who is expected to be available for £20 million following the Saints’ expulsion from the Championship play-offs. According to reports in the Daily Mirror and the Express, United have identified the Northern Ireland international as a cost-effective alternative to Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, who carries a £100 million price tag. The collapse of Southampton’s promotion bid, triggered by an EFL investigation into a filming incident at a Middlesbrough training session, has significantly weakened the South Coast club's ability to retain key assets during the upcoming window.
Southampton’s Spygate sanctions and financial fallout
The EFL’s decision to remove Southampton from the 2025/26 play-offs follows a breach of Regulation 127, where a staff member was allegedly caught filming Middlesbrough’s private tactical session 48 hours before their semi-final. As first reported by Flashscore, Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg labelled the incident a "disgrace," and the subsequent expulsion—confirmed on May 20—saw Middlesbrough reinstated into the final. For Southampton, the loss of potential Premier League revenue necessitates immediate squad reductions. Having signed Charles from Manchester City in 2023 for an initial £10.5 million, a £20 million sale represents a necessary profit to offset the financial impact of another season in the second tier.
United’s midfield pivot under Michael Carrick
While senior football correspondent Ben Jacobs told GiveMeSport that Elliot Anderson remains the primary midfield target for manager Michael Carrick, the £100 million valuation has forced INEOS leadership to explore secondary options. United’s squad requires a significant rebuild in the holding roles, with Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro both understood to be nearing administrative or permanent exits. At £20 million, Charles offers a tactical profile similar to the high-pressing requirements of Carrick’s system at a fraction of Anderson’s cost. Charles has proven his durability this season, establishing himself as a regular starter in the Championship, and would join a United side effectively seeking to replace over £600,000-a-week in combined wages from departing senior midfielders.
Club-to-club talks are expected to begin once the play-off final is concluded, with United eager to finalise their depth recruitment before the July pre-season tour.