Shea Charles

SOUTHAMPTON midfielder Shea Charles has emerged as Celtic’s latest target.

SunSport understands the Hoops are keen on the versatile Northern Ireland international.

Charles, 20, joined the Saints from Manchester City a year ago and started 15 games as they went up to the Premier League via the play-offs.

He has a contract until 2027 but that hasn’t put off the Parkhead side as they look to add to their squad.

They could even look to land Charles on an initial loan with an option to buy, just as they did with the likes of Jota, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Paulo Bernardo.

The south coast side recently had a bid of £14million plus add ons rejected for Hoops midfielder Matt O’Riley.

It’s unclear whether the move for Charles would be part of a deal for O’Riley to go the other way or if it would be a standalone approach.

Either way the Hoops are on the hunt for a midfielder to replace O’Riley who looks destined to be sold, with Atalanta among other clubs who have seen offers booted out.

Manchester-born Charles has made his name as a holding midfielder but can also play in the middle of defence and at right-back.

He was just seven when he joined City’s youth academy and made his one and only appearance for Pep Guardiola’s top team when he came on as a second-half substitute in the last game of the 2022/23 season, a 1-0 loss to Brentford.

Charles impressed for Saints at the start of last season but saw his chances limited after Flynn Downes arrived on loan from West Ham.

He started just four times in 2024 and Downes has since made his move permanent this summer.

Charles qualifies for Northern Ireland through his mother. After being capped from Under-16s to Under-21 level he landed his first senior call-up from then boss Ian Baraclough in May 2022.

He made his debut a month later and has now been selected 17 times in total.

Speaking last month, Charles said: “Last season was my first season and not everything is going to be perfect but I can be satisfied with my first season in professional football. I feel like I did alright.

“I feel like I’ve got a lot more to come in terms of my ability and showing everyone what I can do, taking next season to push on.”

 

Sell our best player and get a project on loan honestly that's me * done with celtic a * hate them!

 

Easy buddy. I'm in the cynical stage and happy to give the board a fair amount of criticism when necessary. But it's the Sun. They're *. It's a rumour.

And never ditch the Hoops.

 

He played 30 odd games last season for them wouldn't say he was a project. Granted I don't know much about him other than him being a defensive midfielder so he wouldn't be a replacement for Mor anyway

 

As a loan with an option, I’d be happy with it. But he’s not an O’Riley replacement, he’s a defensive midfielder.

He would be an interesting signing though: good youth career at City, bought for £15m last year and got a lot of experience in the Championship but fell out of favour by the end

Loan with a high option would be fair. I reckon this is a totally separate deal to the O’Riley sale, and if we sell him, we would bring someone else in.

 

Would be typical Celtic though. Sell one of our best players, and replace with a 20 year old who's played one season in football.

Can't say I know much about Shea Charles. But he hasn't played a lot of football at all looking at his stats. Thought we were looking for quality this summer.

 

There's far too many people who lump any young player into the project category.

He played 32 games for a promoted Southampton side last season, must have something about him

 

Hes a big defensive midfielder he isn't a replacement for O'Riley

 

Better off with Ray Charles ffs

 

https://x.com/aboutceltic/status/1818042573312901215?t=OakKA-1rq8Pxg69HE1-1RA&s=19

 

Completely different profile to MOR but we do need a physical defensive midfielder.

Dortmund were interested in him last summer, so must have something.

Would have to be a permanent deal or loan with an option to buy.

 

It doesn't say anywhere it'd be a straight loan, nor would he be a project. People have been crying out for us to sign a strong, tall, defensive midfielder for ages and the second it looks like we might you find a way to spin it in to a negative .

 

See you tomorrow mate

 

Looks * excellent. Sign him with the premise we'll sell them O'Riley later on then just blank them and keep Matt. * them.

 

Seems odd. Cant my head round how a deal would work for him.

 

Yeah the part about including him in the O'Riley deal shouldn't even be entertained.

 

Calm down mate. This guy is clearly a talent.

 

Dont necessarily see it as being part of the o'riley deal.

More a we scratch ur back, u scratch ours situation. Where they may look favourably on doing a deal with us for 1 of their payers if they get 1 of ours.

Lad looks decent tbf