Man Utd and Leeds set for transfer battle as club issue immediate response to £20m offer

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Manchester United are desperately seeking midfield reinforcements this summer, yet look set to face transfer competition at every turn. Southampton star Shea Charles was identified as a potential target last month, but Leeds are looking to steal a march on their rivals after tabling a £20m offer for him.

The Red Devils appear to have already wrapped up a deal for Atalanta midfielder Ederson, but still have ambitions to bring in further signings for Michael Carrick.

The Old Trafford hierarchy have agreed a £35m deal with the Serie A outfit for the Brazilian, with an additional £3.8million available in add-ons.

Other prospective targets have seen United face plenty of competition for signatures. The 13-time Premier League champions have been linked with Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, with each of that trio attracting considerable interest from elsewhere.

Manchester City and Tottenham are ensuring the market remains fiercely competitive, with United's cross-town rivals linked to Anderson and Tonali, while Spurs have been mentioned as a potential destination for the Newcastle star and Fernandes.

Now, Leeds could be poised to hinder United's efforts to bolster their central midfield options. According to The Athletic , Leeds submitted a £20m bid for the 22-year-old, but Southampton pushed back on the offer, and are seeking more money.

Talks remain ongoing, however, with Leeds trying to strike a deal while United are yet to make a concrete move for him. Charles missed out on Premier League promotion with Southampton in the aftermath of the fallout from the Spygate scandal.

The 22-year-old made the move to Southampton from Manchester City back in 2023.

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United chief Jason Wilcox helped secure the deal during his tenure at Southampton, and at the time, Charles was considered a player who would 'prosper at the highest level'.

The midfielder has racked up 76 appearances for the Saints since his arrival, and also gained experience during a loan stint at Sheffield Wednesday.

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Charles is capable of operating in central defence as well as midfield, and has already made one Premier League appearance during his spell at Manchester City.

Central midfield became United's top priority after they strengthened their attacking options last summer. Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo all signed last summer before the club shifted their focus to the middle of the park, with interest emerging in Carlos Baleba and Conor Gallagher .

Carrick has already said goodbye to Casemiro, who is bound for Inter Miami, while Manuel Ugarte is also expected to leave after failing to nail down a place in United's starting line-up. Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes remain the club's central midfield choices until Ederson makes his arrival.

Speaking to Tuttosport, Ederson said: "It's practically almost all sorted."

He added: "I have to make the most of this moment. I am here and it is a wonderful thing, something you must always live to the fullest."

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