Exclusive: Don Goodman issues transfer warning to Southampton amid Leeds United, Shea Charles interest | OneFootball

Don Goodman has advised the Saints to do all they can to keep hold of Shea Charles this summer.

Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman thinks that Will Still and Southampton should do all they can to keep hold of Shea Charles beyond the summer transfer window, believing the 21-year-old can offer “a lot” to the Saints team in the Championship this season.

The Northern Ireland international has been touted for a move to Premier League outfit Leeds United recently, with a report published by TEAMtalk claiming that Daniel Farke’s men are "strongly considering" a move for the midfielder.

Charles appeared in all but three of Sheffield Wednesday's 46 league matches last season while on loan as he helped the Owls secure an eventual 12th-placed finish under Danny Rohl.

Now, he has returned to the South Coast under new boss Will Still, who will be reviewing the squad as he tries to find his best XI before their season opener at home to Wrexham.

With the latest transfer speculation in mind, Don Goodman has weighed in with his thoughts on how Southampton should approach the Shea Charles links to Elland Road.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman has advised Southampton to retain Shea Charles, with this decision an indication of whether the Saints “have got anything about them”.

When asked about whether Southampton should retain the services of Shea Charles, Goodman told FLW: “Unequivocally, yes, Will Still should be resisting any overtures from Leeds United.

"I think he will want to see Shea Charles in training, want to understand what Shea Charles can offer Southampton next season in the Championship, which I believe would be a lot.

“I can understand that Leeds United and big clubs are looking at Shea Charles, absolutely I can understand it, he had an exceptional season last season.

"But if Southampton have got anything about them, I would imagine they wouldn't be selling him to Leeds United, I would imagine they would be playing him week in week out and trying to get back to the Premier League.”

Shea Charles can make a big impact for Southampton in the Championship

Southampton are already set to lose a number of key first-team figures, with the likes of Tyler Dibling, Mateus Fernandes and Aaron Ramsdale all touted for exits.

The departures of these players would help the club net healthy funds, which would lower the need to sell any more of their assets to balance the books before the 1st September deadline.

With Charles possessing another two years on his current deal too, Southampton won’t be under any pressure to negotiate a sale unless the player pushes for it, and they will want as much second tier knowhow in the squad as possible to push for immediate promotion back to the top-flight.

At just 21, Charles has proven and established himself as a quality option at Championship level, and with so much more time to progress and develop, Southampton would be rather foolish to part ways with a player that can play a huge part in a promotion push.