(Credit: Imago)

Callum O'Connell

Thu 9 April 2026 10:15, UK

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Shea Charles is attracting interest from a number of Premier League clubs this summer and Crystal Palace have now joined Nottingham Forest in the race.

The 22-year-old has enjoyed an “outstanding” season for the Saints so far and has been a key part of their turnaround and push for a playoff place.

Following a huge 5-1 win against Wrexham last time out, Southampton have moved up to sixth place, but there is a feeling they must secure promotion to keep their best players.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Crystal Palace are the latest team keeping a close eye on his performances in the second tier.

However, with more Premier League clubs joining the race, Southampton hope a bidding war will allow them to raise his asking price in a blow to Forest’s transfer plans.

Why are Crystal Palace interested in Shea Charles?

Brown told Football Insider that Crystal Palace are fearing a mass exodus, and have already begun assessing potential targets if key players leave.

Daichi Kamada is set to depart Selhurst Park when his contract expires, while Jefferson Lerma’s deal is also ticking down, and Adam Wharton is attracting high-profile interest.

As a result, the Eagles are assessing a number of midfield targets, and Charles has emerged high on their list after his displays in the Championship.

“Crystal Palace are another club interest in Charles,” Brown told Football Insider.

“They’re looking at midfield reinforcements because a few players could be on their way out, and they’ve always done good business recruiting from the Championship.

“So it’s not just Nottingham Forest in the race, there are a few clubs looking at him, and that could play to Southampton’s advantage in a way.

“Obviously, they won’t want to lose one of their best players, but they will want to make as much money as they can if they do have to sell him.

“Having more than one club looking to do a deal means they can play them off against each other, who’s going to be the highest bidder? And the price keeps going up.

“They could double his price tag just through that, it’s something I’ve seen happen before.

“So while Palace are interested and Forest are interested, it’s about who is prepared to pay the money, and both of them could miss out if they’re not.”

Could Nottingham Forest win the race for Charles?

After scoring a late winner against Arsenal in the FA Cup, speculation about Charles’ future has been rife, with plenty of high-profile interest.

Brown told Football Insider on 7 April that Nottingham Forest are interested in Charles as one of a number of midfield options on their radar this summer.

Forest had pursued a number of targets during the mid-season window and were not afraid to spend big, with bids up to £25million tabled for different options.

The likes of Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney and Celtic star Arne Engels were both subject to bids, but no deal could be agreed before the deadline.

As a result, they are expected to step up their efforts to land a new midfielder with big money to spend, and Charles now emerging as a key target.