Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Wed 13 May 2026 16:13, UK

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Nottingham Forest are reportedly keen to sign Southampton midfielder Shea Charles in the summer transfer window.

The 22-year-old’s fine season went to another level on Tuesday when his cross went all the way in to send the Saints to the Championship play-off final.

Goals from Riley McGree and Ross Stewart in normal time had seen Middlesbrough and Southampton locked level until the final minutes of stoppage time, with Charles’ goal setting up the final against Hull City.

But Tonda Eckert’s team could still be denied a chance at entry to the Premier League amid an ongoing investigation into a charge that alleges that a staff member for the Saints spied on and recorded Boro’s training session before last week’s clash.

Nottingham Forest transfer chiefs will be paying close attention to the events that follow in the coming days, with a potential move for Charles depending on them.

Shea Charles key for Southampton in play-off win

Football Insider exclusively revealed last month that Nottingham Forest are tracking Charles ahead of this summer, with the player willing to move on if Southampton miss out on promotion.

The young midfielder already has 33 caps for the senior Northern Ireland international team and has emerged among the most highly-touted players in the Championship this season.

Charles will have just one year remaining on his contract this summer, signing a four-year deal when he signed from Manchester City in 2023 in a deal worth up to £15million.

Southampton will hope to, at least, double their money on the 22-year-old, but if they cannot tie him down to a new contract, a decision may need to be taken this summer.

The midfielder is playing his part in their fight for promotion, however, and put in a superb performance on Tuesday.

Charles’ goal came from a mix-up, with Solomon Brynn somehow allowing his deep cross to float all the way into the bottom corner after Dael Fry had missed it.

But aside from the goal, the Northern Ireland international completed three tackles, two blocks, four clearances and four recoveries, losing just one of the duels he contested and being fouled twice.

Southampton face nervous wait

With the Championship play-off final set to take place on 23 May, it is hoped that the independent commission looking into the spying charge will have come to a decision before the match.

Should a punishment be handed down after the fact, Middlesbrough may well be denied a chance to face Hull City in the final.

But it is still unclear whether Southampton will face anything more than a fine, with Boro forced to continue training in case of all outcomes.

The likes of Charles will also spend the coming days in limbo, with a potential summer exit perhaps dependent on the decision that is taken.