It has been reported that Southampton are keen on signing Manchester City wonderkid Shea Charles in order to replace Romeo Lavia.
This comes from the Daily Mail, as it was claimed on last Monday that Liverpool had entered the race to sign the Belgian midfielder.
Now, it seems like Southampton are planning to swoop in for yet another Manchester City starlet in Shea Charles.
Southampton plotting Shea Charles transfer from Manchester City
Branded as a ‘smooth’ player on the ball by ex-Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough via Manchester Evening News, the 19-year-old is classed as yet another incredibly gifted defensive midfielder.
Joining the club’s academy at just nine years of age, it was a testament to the youngster’s talent that Pep Guardiola gave him his Premier League debut in his side’s penultimate game of last season against Southampton.
However, a claim has been made that Southampton are ‘weighing up a move’ for Manchester City technician Shea Charles, as they are preparing to sell the in-demand Romeo Lavia this summer.
As a result, Charles could be brought in at St. Mary’s to fill Lavia’s boots, who is set to join one of the ‘Big Six’ sides in the Premier League.
Manchester City should insert a buy-back clause
Considering the teenager is unlikely to contend for a spot in the first-team for Manchester City anytime soon, it would be understandable from the club’s perspective to sell him to Southampton.
However, it would be advisable if the treble-winners inserted yet another buy-back clause in the deal, as was the case with Romeo Lavia.
As naturally talented as Charles is, he is unlikely to propel himself into conversations amongst the best young midfielders in the world as quickly as Lavia did.
With that in mind, the same ploy used in the latter’s case to activate the clause two years after the Northern Irishman’s move may not come back to bite the Sky Blues.
