Sheffield Wednesday are stepping up their search for a new midfielder.
The Owls’ defeat to Sunderland really exposed their lack of cover in the middle of the park, with the Black Cats dominating their fairly attacking midfield trio.
With Nathaniel Chalobah injured, it has become clear that Sheffield Wednesday need to sign another defensive option to replace Will Vaulks.
Wednesday’s transfer business has gone quiet for a while now, but it now looks like they are pushing to sign a new midfielder in the final week of the transfer window.
The Yorkshire outfit have already been linked with a number of players and most recently missed out on Bayer Leverkusen’s Gustavo Puerta to Hull City.
They were also interested in Tottenham’s Alfie Devine, but were urged not to sign him as he isn’t a No.6.
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Sheffield Wednesday targeting Southampton gem
It looks like they are still looking to the Premier League for further reinforcements though, with journalist Joe Crann claiming they are ‘interested’ in Shea Charles.
Crann wrote on X: “Understand that #SWFC are interested in Southampton midfielder, Shea Charles, and are looking into trying to get a deal done before the transfer window closes.”
The ‘brilliant’ 20-year-old began his career at Manchester City, making his Premier League debut in May 2023.
Months later, Charles joined Southampton for £15 million following their relegation and went onto make 33 appearances as they won immediate promotion via the play-offs.
The youngster only managed four appearances in the final 14 games of the campaign though, while he was left out of the match-day squad for their opening day defeat to Newcastle United.
The Saints have already signed Lesley Ogochukwu, Adam Lallana and Mateus Fernandes to bolster their midfield, so Charles is unlikely to rack up many minutes this season.
Given how much they paid for the Northern Ireland international last summer, a loan deal is the only way Wednesday will be able to bring him to Hillsborough before deadline day.
The Owls have huge advantage in Shea Charles chase
Charles has already been linked with a move to Celtic, with The Scottish Sun reporting last month that they wanted to include him in a deal for Matt O’Riley.
Talk has gone quiet since though and it seems quite likely that the Owls could have an advantage in the race for his signature.
That advantage is Pierce Charles – who is actually the Southampton man’s younger brother.
While the goalkeeper could leave on loan before deadline day, the temptation to reunite with his brother could tempt the midfielder.
Charles played as a defensive midfielder for the Saints last term and fits the profile that Wednesday are looking at perfectly.
He would provide Chalobah with some brilliant competition too, with the 29-year-old’s current fitness a big worry.