Fulham are reportedly preparing a £24million bid for Saints and Northern Ireland midfielder Shea Charles.
Charles, 22, scored dramatic late winners against Arsenal and Middlesbrough for Tonda Eckert’s side towards the end of last campaign.
The latter secured Saints a place in the Championship play-off final at Wembley, before they were booted out of the game due to the Spygate saga.
Failing to obtain promotion to the Premier League made it a certainty that the St Mary’s side would sell players to balance the books this summer.
Manchester City academy graduate Charles is seen as one of the club’s most saleable assets, with extraordinary value despite not regularly starting.
The Daily Mail report that Fulham are preparing a £24m bid for the promising talent, who excelled on loan at Sheffield Wednesday previously.
Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa is said to be keen on signing Charles, who joined Saints in 2023, and talks are expected to progress in the coming days.
It follows Leeds United’s unsuccessful attempts to capture him, with three reported bids being knocked back by Saints as they hold out for bigger offers.
Charles returned to Staplewood for pre-season last week, later than most players, following extended leave following international involvement in June.
As a result, he was not part of the strong squad that beat National League neighbours Eastleigh 3-1 in the first friendly of pre-season on Saturday.
Charles has one year left on his Saints contract, but technical director Johannes Spors previously said the club retain a one-year extension option.
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