Fulham are finally set to get their man after agreeing a deal to sign Shea Charles from Southampton. The Cottagers have agreed a deal worth as much as £30m.
Those in West London have kickstarted their transfer window as of late, using Alvaro Arbeloa’s Real Madrid connection to land Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios. Now, in another big-money deal, Charles is set to arrive.
|
Fulham’s summer signings 26/27 |
Position |
Previous club |
Approx. fee |
What they bring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Gonzalo García |
ST |
Real Madrid |
£34m |
Mobile striker; movement, finishing and intelligence |
|
César Palacios |
CM/AM |
Real Madrid |
£8.5m |
Technical midfielder; creativity, carrying and versatility |
|
Jonah Kusi-Asare |
ST |
Bayern Munich |
£5m |
Young, powerful striker with significant potential |
|
Shea Charles |
CM/DM |
Southampton |
£30m |
Athletic midfielder; defensive ability, composure and press resistance |
A deal for Charles makes perfect sense following the departure of Sasa Lukic. Even as Southampton failed to earn promotion in controversial fashion last season, the midfielder certainly impressed.
By the time that the Championship campaign came to an end, the 22-year-old had five goal involvements to his name and won more than six duels per 90. Whether it’s in or out of possession, Charles has the potential to become a complete midfielder.
Arbeloa will be delighted that things have picked up on the transfer front. Fulham lost Raul Jimenez and Harry Wilson earlier in the window on top of losing manager Marco Silva. For some time, there was plenty of concern about their lack of business coming the other way.
With the Premier League campaign fast approaching, however, they’re finally back in the market for reinforcements.
A deal to sign Charles wasn’t always on the cards, either. The Southampton man initially caught the eye of Leeds United, who submitted an offer to secure his signature, only for Fulham to swoop in and hijack the Yorkshire club.
Fulham agree deal to sign Shea Charles
According to Fabrizio Romano, Fulham have agreed a deal to sign Charles from Southampton in a move worth as much as £30m. The Saints will have a sell-on clause and those in West London have got their man.
Romano shared the news on X, saying: “Fulham agree deal to sign Shea Charles from Southampton, here we go!
“Deal now done between clubs at £30m package fee, huge sale for #SaintsFC in Championship and top signing wanted by Fulham since June. There’s also a sell-on clause included in the deal.”
Charles is likely to have an important role from the off at Craven Cottage, and deservedly so. It was only last season that he played a key role at St Mary’s and almost took Southampton to promotion.
Now, he’s got the task of replacing Lukic and playing a central role in a new era at Fulham. Back in the Premier League, the former Manchester City man will be one to watch.