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Nottingham Forest should act on Shea Charles interest after France display

Correspondent AUTHORITY Football finance journalist specialising in the financial landscape of the Premier League and SPFL. FOCUS Financial analysis, club economics, and data-led coverage across the top flight and Scottish football. THE INSIGHT Ciaran utilises a network of financial and industry contacts to deliver verified, data-driven analysis. He provides the numbers behind the noise to ensure fans understand the fiscal reality driving decisions at the top of the game.

Published on:

09 Jun 2026, 10:43 am

Shea Charles' display for Northern Ireland against France showed Nottingham Forest why they should sign the midfielder.

Premier League interest is building in the 22-year-old following his standout season for Southampton in the Championship.

Southampton's Spygate scandal, coupled with missing out on promotion to the Premier League, makes keeping Charles at St Mary's a tough prospect.

Nottingham Forest could have a space open in midfield for Charles as Elliot Anderson is expected to leave the City Ground this summer.

Manchester City are continuing their pursuit of Anderson, which would leave Vitor Pereira needing to sign a new midfielder for his squad.

Charles is set to be available for around £25million this summer, and the sale of Anderson means they would be able to make that move.

Shea Charles shows Premier League potential against France

Sources revealed to Football Insider that Nottingham Forest hold interest in signing Charles.

Nottingham Forest scouts were sure to be watching Northern Ireland's friendly against France to keep a close eye on Charles' performance, and they should have been impressed with what they saw.

Charles played the full 90 minutes, but whilst it was a difficult evening for Northern Ireland, he shone in the middle of the park against the likes of Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot.

The Southampton midfielder made one big chance, successfully completed 92 per cent of his passes, made four progressive carries, won all his tackles and made two recoveries.

Nottingham Forest boosted in race to sign Shea Charles, Southampton could accept offer

With Northern Ireland not at this summer's World Cup in North America, Nottingham Forest now have their opportunity to seal a deal.

Nottingham Forest fear losing second midfield star

Nottingham Forest's need for a new midfielder would be greater if they were to also lose Morgan Gibbs-White this summer.

Another fine season at the City Ground means that Arsenal could make a move for Gibbs-White should they fail to sign Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers.

Nottingham Forest have no intentions of selling the 26-year-old, and owner Evangelos Marinakis would do everything in his power to keep him at the club.

Marinakis, and Pereira, will only have ambitions to strengthen the squad and Charles has shown he should be part of those plans.

Southampton Football Club

Nottingham Forest Football Club