Fulham have agreed a deal worth up to £30m for Southampton midfielder Shea Charles, with the move subject to a medical. The 22-year-old will sign a five-year contract at Craven Cottage and become the most expensive Northern Irish footballer of all time.
Move to west London
Charles, who started his career at Manchester City, also attracted interest from Leeds United but has opted to move to Fulham. He is set to replace Sasa Lukic, who moved to Ipswich Town last week.
Third signing under Arbeloa
Charles becomes Fulham’s third signing since the appointment of new manager Alvaro Arbeloa, who previously led Real Madrid on an interim basis during the second half of last season. Arbeloa’s arrival followed the departure of Marco Silva, who left to take charge of Benfica.
Fulham have already signed two players from Madrid this window, striker Gonzalo Garcia and midfielder Cesar Palacios, before agreeing the deal for Charles. The Cottagers travel to Malaga on Wednesday and host German club Stuttgart on Saturday, 15 August, before facing Chelsea in their Premier League opener on Monday, 24 August.
