Crystal Palace have reportedly moved into the race for Southampton midfielder Shea Charles, handing Pierre Sage a live route into the market after the Hayden Hackney trail became more complicated.
MOT Leeds News reported that Palace are now looking at Charles while Leeds United try to find a compromise with Southampton.
The report cites Alan Nixon and claims Leeds have already seen bids rejected for the Northern Ireland international.
That follows Daily Mail reporter Simon Jones reporting on X that Leeds had made a £20million-plus offer to Southampton for Charles.
Southampton’s position is the key pressure point.
Reports around the deal have consistently placed their valuation closer to £30million. That means Leeds’ delay gives Palace a window if they decide Charles is worth accelerating for.
Pierre Sage Faces Midfield Market Test
That is where the story sharpens for Selhurst Park.
Palace have already been linked with Championship midfield solutions. ReadCrystalPalace recently assessed how Christian Norgaard interest framed the club’s midfield search.
Charles would be a different profile.
He is younger, more developmental and capable of operating as a ball-winning No.6 or No.8.
For Sage, the attraction is obvious. Palace need depth for a heavier European calendar.
They also need resale logic and physical intensity in central areas.
Charles fits that bracket neatly.
The risk is price. If Southampton hold firm and Leeds return with a stronger package, Palace must decide whether to compete immediately.
The alternative is to keep their powder dry for a cleaner midfield deal later in the window.
That is the recruitment test.
Norgaard would be a short-term control option. Charles would be a longer-term physical bet.
Sage now needs Palace to decide which version of their midfield rebuild matters most.
