Manchester United are planning to make multiple changes to their midfield department ahead of their return to Champions League football next season.
Casemiro will formally depart when his contract expires on June 30. United plan to make a marquee signing and seem prepared to spend £80 million.
Manuel Ugarte’s future is also hanging in the balance amid his lack of playing time. The Uruguayan’s departure could pave the way for a £50m spend on another midfielder.
The club are also open to pursuing a third option to add depth in the squad. They could spare £20m for a young recruit. Southampton’s Shea Charles has emerged as a target.
The Mirror now claim that United have received the green light to land Charles after Southampton lost their EFL appeal over the Spygate controversy against Middlesbrough.
The Saints were also spotted spying on multiple training sessions of Oxford United and Ipswich Town, and have therefore been expelled from the Championship play-off final by the EFL.
Middlesbrough will now face Hull City for a Premier League berth. The failure to return to the top-flight could mean the departure of several key players in the Southampton squad.
Charles, who scored the winner against Arsenal in the FA Cup quarter-final in April, is one of those. He could be signed for a bargain fee of £20 million in the next transfer window.
Man Utd should swoop for Charles
United are expected to enter the transfer market for a couple of high-profile midfield signings, but they also need squad depth for rotation and the extra workload next term.
Charles has had a promising season with the Saints, operating as a holding midfielder. The 22-year-old has chipped in with eight goal contributions and has been good defensively, too.
He has also won almost 60 percent of his duels with 4.3 recoveries, 1.6 tackles and 1.5 clearances per outing. His passing accuracy is more than decent at around 85 percent.
The Manchester City graduate may not be seen as a regular starter at United, but would certainly be a good option to come off the bench or start occasionally under Michael Carrick, who is poised to become permanent manager.
£20m seems like a bargain fee given the current state of the transfer market. Southampton’s top-flight promotion would easily double Charles’ price tag, but that won’t happen this summer.
United director of football Jason Wilcox knows Charles from his time as academy director at Man City. He brought him alongside when he took charge as director of football at the Saints in 2023.
The 55-year-old’s good relationship with the player could hand United a big advantage.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com
