Category: Leeds

Leeds United are in ongoing discussions to sign Shea Charles from Southampton, who has been mysteriously left out of their squad tonight.

The 49ers have masterminded two seriously impressive signings already in Harry Wilson and Tarik Muharemovic joining.

Up next, a goalkeeper, depth in certain areas, and possibly some progress on Shea Charles are the deals to look out for.

Shea Charles left out of Southampton’s pre-season squad as Leeds United talks ‘ongoing’

It’s been a long saga so far for Leeds’ talks to sign Charles from Southampton. The latest from Graham Smyth is that it’s an ever-ongoing process.

Leeds’ most recent bid, supposedly knocked back, amounted to £23million plus add-ons, looked to be edging the Whites closer to a compromise.

However, the speed at which Muharemovic was agreed is in stark contrast to the snail pace talks with the EFL club. Understandably, it’s leaving fans itching for a conclusive update.

Well, Charles has mysteriously been left out of Southampton’s pre-season squad tonight. The Saints face Eastleigh in their first friendly of the summer, and have named an otherwise very strong lineup:

The Echo’s Alfie House notes an obvious possibility that Charles could be left out due to fitness. He only returned to pre-season this week.

New signing Lewis Dobbin is straight into action, though, joining Southampton this week. That’s around a similar time that Charles returned to pre-season training.

Leeds United need to step up transfer intent – Shea Charles and James Trafford would be incredible

If Leeds can continue in the same vein as Muharemovic and Wilson, we could be in for a superb season ahead.

That means striking an agreement to sign Charles from Southampton. There could be a multitude of reasons for Charles not being present this evening, as appears the case. But, it’s certainly an intriguing development.

Leeds will want this deal done after Southampton digging their heels in for a month. His absence could (and I stress ‘could’) be a major hint that we’re making progress towards a deal.

Conversely, it could be easily explained as Charles not being ready for minutes on the pitch. Daniel Peretz, Aaron Ramsdale, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Ryan Manning, Finn Azaz, and Cameron Archer (among plenty of others) are also missing.

After that, if James Trafford is the goalkeeper we end up signing to replace Karl Darlow, us Leeds fans could get carried away.

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Brad Arthur’s first impressions of Leeds Rhinos were hardly encouraging.Cold, jet-lagged and watching his new side trail 24-4 at Warrington Wolves, the Australian was left wondering what he had signed up for.What followed convinced him that the Rhinos were a club worth investing in.”I can remember the first day I got here at Warrington,” said Arthur ahead of the second anniversary of his first game in charge.”I’d just got off the plane. I was cold, I was tired and we weren’t that great in the first half. I was wondering what I’d got myself in for.”But I saw plenty of fight and courage in the team in the second half. That was enough for me to know there was more than enough to work with.”I asked a lot of questions and everyone I spoke to wanted higher standards and expectations and to be held more accountable.”It’s easy to say that and harder to deliver on it. It takes a lot of hard work, tough love and cuddling at times. Everyone’s response has been pleasantly enjoyable and surprising.Brad Arthur pictured at Warrington shortly after his arrival in July 2024. (Photo: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com)”The bit I’ve really enjoyed is being at a club that just wanted to do better.”Two years on, Leeds have gone from play-off outsiders to League Leaders’ Shield favourites under Arthur’s guidance.The eight-time champions hold a two-point advantage at the top of Super League with mouthwatering games against Wakefield Trinity, Leigh Leopards and Wigan Warriors still to come.Arthur, however, is refusing to look beyond Sunday’s West Yorkshire derby at Castleford Tigers.The Rhinos are the team to beat in Super League right now. (Photo: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com)”I’m only really worried about the road to Castleford,” he insisted.”We’ve got a few home games and a few away games. We’ve changed a few things for away games that seem to be working at the moment. We’ll continue to go down that path and we enjoy playing at home so we’ve got a good balance of games left.”But nine games is still a long way. Things can chop and change in the table really quickly. We’re aware of that, without having to talk about it.”Our focus is just on being a reliable team on a weekly basis. We’re doing that at the minute but you only need one week of not being reliable and you can start to have question marks.Leeds beat Castleford comfortably in March. (Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com)”Castleford will throw everything into it.”While Leeds have built their title challenge on consistency, the Tigers have struggled to produce it from one week to the next.Castleford have mixed statement wins over Wigan and St Helens with a string of heavy defeats, among them those to Warrington and the Hull clubs.If ever there were an occasion for Castleford to show their best side, this is it.”Leeds are the benchmark,” acknowledged Carr. “There’s no better way to test yourself than against the team coming first so I’m excited.”They compete really hard, work hard for each other and come at you for the full 80. They definitely don’t take a play off and that’s why they are where they are on the table.Castleford are set for their biggest crowd of the season. (Photo: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com)”They’ve got strike, they’ve got power and a good balance in everything they’re doing at the moment.”We’re at home. It’ll be a bumper crowd here and an unreal atmosphere. We’ll get good weather and it’ll be a good day.”It’s what you play for. It’s what you’re here for.”There have been more bad days than good during Carr’s first season in charge, leaving the Tigers chasing promoted trio Toulouse Olympique, York Knights and Bradford Bulls with a third of the campaign remaining.But with more high-profile signings on the way and steady progress behind the scenes, there is growing optimism about the club’s long-term prospects.A date with the Rhinos in front of a packed house at Wheldon Road could provide a window into Castleford’s future.”That’s our vision,” said Carr, who has this week added Robbie Mulhern, Alfie Johnson and Tyrell Sloan to his new-look squad for 2027. “That’s our goal as a club – from board level down to playing level – and where we need to get to.”We’ve got a passionate rugby league community here in Cas. We’re a one-club town and have to make sure that our fans are proud to come and watch us play and support us.”That’s our job – to play well and make that happen. It’s definitely something we want to try and make a common thing for us moving forward.”

Shea Charles has reported back for pre-season with Southampton as Leeds United maintain interest in the 22-year-old Northern Ireland midfielder.According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, Leeds are targeting Charles for their second season back in the Premier League, and approaches have so far been rejected by Southampton, who are preparing for a second season back in the Championship.Southampton resumed pre-season last week and Charles has now rejoined the group after an extended break. Images on social media showed him involved in training.He was granted extra time off after Northern Ireland’s June friendlies against Guinea and France.The Championship season begins over the weekend of Saturday, 15 August, while Southampton start competitive action earlier with a Carabao Cup first-round tie at Colchester United on Saturday, 8 August.

Premier League clubs are getting ready for the 2026/27 with their pre-season fixtures and tours.Here’s where all 20 teams will travel to on their pre-season tours and who they will face ahead of the return of the English top flight on August 21.
All the kick-offs are listed in UK time.
August 1: Girona vs Arsenal – Girona, 7pmAugust 5: Arsenal vs Real Betis – Dublin, 7.30pmAugust 9: Arsenal vs Borussia Dortmund – Emirates Stadium, 2pmAugust 12: Arsenal vs Como – Emirates Stadium, 7.30pmAugust 16: Community Shield – Arsenal vs Man City, Cardiff, 3pmJuly 21: Walsall vs Aston Villa – Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium, 7.30pmJuly 25: Porto vs Aston Villa – Estadio Do Dragao, 7pmJuly 28: Aston Villa vs Real Sociedad – Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium, 7.30pmAugust 1: Indonesia All-Stars vs Aston Villa – Jakarta, 1pmAugust 4: BG Pathum United vs Aston Villa – Pathum Thani, 1.30pmAugust 7: Aston Villa vs Bayern Munich, Hong Kong, 1pmAugust 12: UEFA Super Cup – PSG vs Aston Villa, Salzburg, 8pmAugust 15: Borussia Monchengladbach vs Aston Villa – Borussia-Park, 2.30pm
July 24: St Pauli vs Bournemouth – Saalfelden, 4pmJuly 30: Augsburg vs Bournemouth – Saalfelden, 4pmAugust 4: Genoa vs Bournemouth – Bournemouth training ground (behind closed doors)August 8: Real Betis vs Bournemouth – Seville, 7.30pmAugust 15: Mainz vs Bournemouth – Mewa Arena, 2.30pm
August 8: Rennes vs Brentford – Stade Rennais, 5pmAugust 15: Brentford vs Eintracht Frankfurt – Gtech Community Stadium, 3pm
July 25: Annecy vs Brighton – France (behind closed doors)August 1: Strasbourg vs Brighton – France (behind closed doors)August 8: Brighton vs Roma – The Amex, 3pmAugust 15: Brighton vs Bologna – The Amex, 3pmJuly 28: Chelsea vs Western Sydney Wanderers – Sydney, 10.45amAugust 1: Chelsea vs Tottenham, Sydney, 10.45amAugust 5: Chelsea vs Juventus, Hong Kong, 12.30pmAugust 8: Chelsea vs AC Milan – Jakarta, 1pmAugust 9: Johor Darul Ta’zim vs Chelsea – Johor, 1pmJuly 11: AFC Wimbledon 3-2 Coventry – behind closed doorsJuly 18: Northampton vs Coventry – Sixfields, 2pmAugust 8: Coventry vs Espanyol – Coventry Building Society Arena, 5.30pmJuly 18: Palace vs Swindon – Palace training ground (behind closed doors), 12.30pmJuly 25: Bromley vs Palace – Hayes Lane, 3pmJuly 28: Palace vs Lens (6pm – 45-minute match)July 28: Palace vs Famalicao (7.30pm – 45-minute matchJuly 31 or August 1: Palace v TBC, (5pm or 7.45pm)August 15: Freiburg v Crystal Palace – Europa-Park Stadion, 1pmJuly 18: Dundee v Everton – Dens Park, 2pmJuly 25: Bolton vs Everton – Toughsheet Community Stadium, 3pmJuly 28: Stoke vs Everton – bet365 Stadium, 7.45pmAugust 1: Hamburg vs Everton – Volksparkstadion, 4pmAugust 8: Stuttgart vs Everton – MHP Arena, 4pmAugust 12: Everton vs Newcastle – Murrayfield, 5.15pmAugust 15: Everton vs Lille – Hill Dickinson Stadium, 3pmAugust 15: Fulham vs Stuttgart – Craven Cottage, 4pmJuly 25: Hull vs Konyaspor – Slovenia, KO TBCJuly 28: Hull vs Caykur Rizespor – Slovenia, KO TBCAugust 1: Hull vs Kasımpasa – Istanbul, KO TBCAugust 8: Eintracht Frankfurt vs Hull – Germany, 2pmAugust 15: Hull vs Nice – MKM Stadium (3pm)July 29: Ipswich v Osasuna – Colchester, 7.45pmAugust 1: Oxford vs Ipswich – Kassam Stadium, 12pmAugust 1: Wycombe vs Ipswich – Adams Park, 4pmAugust 4: Ipswich vs Le Havre – Portman Road, 7.45pmAugust 8: Ipswich vs Rayo Vallecano – Portman Road, 3pmAugust 15: Union Berlin vs Ipswich – Stadion An der Alten Forsterei, 2.30pmJuly 26: Leeds vs Wrexham – Tampa, 12.30amJuly 31: Leeds vs Sunderland – New Jersey, 12.30amAugust 2: Leeds vs Liverpool – Chicago, 9pmAugust 8: Leeds vs RB Leipzig – Elland Road, 2pmAugust 12: Leeds vs Man Utd – Dublin, 7.30pmJuly 25: Liverpool vs Sunderland – Nashville, 11pmJuly 30: Liverpool vs Wrexham – New York, 12.30amAugust 2: Liverpool vs Leeds – Chicago, 9pmAugust 9: Liverpool vs Monaco – Anfield, 2.30pmAugust 16: Liverpool vs Como – Anfield, 6pmAugust 1: Man City vs Inter Milan – Hong Kong,12.30pmAugust 5: K-League All Stars vs Man City – Seoul, 12pmAugust 9: Man City vs Atletico Madrid – Seoul, 12pmAugust 16: Community Shield – Arsenal vs Man City – Cardiff, 3pmJuly 18: Man Utd vs Wrexham – Helsinki, 4pmJuly 24: Man Utd vs Rosenborg – Trondheim, 5pmAugust 1: Man Utd vs Atletico Madrid – Stockholm, 2pmAugust 8: Man Utd vs PSG – Gothenburg, 4pmAugust 12: Man Utd vs Leeds – Dublin, 7.30pmAugust 15: Man Utd vs AC Milan – Wroclaw, 3.45pmJuly 18: Newcastle vs Darlington – Newcastle training ground (behind closed doors)July 25: Gateshead vs Newcastle – Gateshead International Stadium, 12.30pmJuly 29: Bristol City vs Newcastle – Ashton Gate, 7.30pmAugust 8: Valencia vs Newcastle – Mestalla, 8pmAugust 12: Everton vs Newcastle – Murrayfield, 5.15pmAugust 15: Newcastle vs Bayer Leverkusen – St James’ Park, 3pmAugust 16: Newcastle vs Strasbourg – St James’ Park, 4pmJuly 18: Notts County vs Forest – Meadow Lane, 3pmJuly 22: Forest vs Blackburn – Estadio da Nora (Portugal), 11amJuly 26: Vitoria vs Forest – Portugal (behind closed doors)July 31: Sporting vs Forest – Estadio Algarve, 7.45pmAugust 12: Forest vs Bayer Leverkusen – City Ground, 7.45pmAugust 16: Forest vs Brest – City Ground, 2pmJuly 18: York City vs Sunderland – LNER Community Stadium, 3pmJuly 25: Sunderland vs Liverpool – Nashville, 11pmJuly 31: Sunderland vs Leeds – New Jersey, 12.30amAugust 2: Sunderland vs Wrexham – Philadelphia, 6pmAugust 8: Lens vs Sunderland – Lens training ground (behind closed doors), 11amAugust 8: Lens vs Sunderland – Stade Bollaert-Delelis, 4pmAugust 15: Sunderland vs Rennes – Stadium of Light, 3pmJuly 22: Tottenham vs MK Dons – Spurs training ground (behind closed doors), 4pmJuly 26: Tottenham vs Auckland FC – Auckland, 4.30amJuly 29: Tottenham vs Sydney FC – Sydney, 10.45amAugust 1: Tottenham vs Chelsea – Sydney, 10.45amAugust 8: Tottenham vs Getafe – Spurs training ground (behind closed doors), 3pmAugust 15: Tottenham vs Hoffenheim – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, 3pmAugust 16: Tottenham vs Hoffenheim – Spurs training ground (behind closed doors), 3pmFollow the new Premier League season with Sky Sports!Sky Sports is the home of domestic club football in the UK & Ireland and will broadcast over 1,500 live matches across the Premier League, WSL, EFL and Scottish Premiership next season.Sky Sports will show a minimum of 215 live Premier League matches in 2026/27.Sky Sports has first pick of matches each week and will continue to show multiple games at 2pm on Sunday on a number of weekends.Sky Sports subscriber? You’ll be able to watch all our live football straight from the Sky Sports app.Not got Sky Sports? Upgrade to Sky Sports if you’re already a Sky customer, or check out our latest offers.Want even more flexibility? Check out NOW TV, which offers day or month membership options contract-free so customers can cancel anytime.The key dates of the 2026-27 seasonAugust 21: Premier League campaign startsAugust 27: Champions League league phase drawSeptember 8-10: Champions League league phase startsJanuary 9: FA Cup third roundJanuary 27: Champions League league phase endsFebruary 16: Champions League knockout phase beginsMarch 21: Carabao Cup finalMay 22: FA Cup finalMay 30: Premier League season endsJune 5: Champions League final, Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid

With Daniel Farke’s squad reporting for pre-season testing at the start of the week, the hard yards are being put in as the players get back up to speed with the upcoming season just around the corner.Impressing in a debut term with the Whites last time around was James Justin, making 34 appearances for the club across a variety of positions and now aiming to build on that on the return to Premier League action. “It is exciting to be back with the lads and see everyone’s faces again,” the versatile full-back began, catching up with LUTV at Leeds Beckett University. “It has been quite a long off-season and, yeah, we are ready to get back to work.“I feel like over the last 10 years that I have been around it, it has changed dramatically. Everyone comes back fit and raring to go now. Everyone is in a good place so far and we are excited to get back on the pitches.”It has been a thoroughly enjoyable few months for James who, after playing his part in securing the Whites’ Premier League status, tied the knot at the start of the summer. With the wedding and honeymoon ticked off, attentions very quickly turned to the upcoming campaign’s preparations, with the 28-year-old recharged and raring to go after his time off.“It was amazing, the best day of my life and everything that I had hoped it would be,” he proudly said of getting married. “Football is a big thing but your family is always number one. Making them happy and proud is the most important thing to me. “It was great to have those moments after the cut and thrust of last season. It was nice to just completely switch off from football and take a step back, really.“Every game comes with pressure, every training session comes with pressure, and there is a lot of pressure at such a big club like this. So, it is key to have a bit of time to reset in the summer and hopefully everyone has done so.“I think the first run that they set us was the day after my wedding so a couple of days after that, I was focusing about getting my body in the right place, as well as enjoying time with family and having a bit of time off from the actual graft.”The club have already dipped into the transfer market, securing the services of Wales international Harry Wilson, whose fine season at Craven Cottage saw the forward earn Fulham’s Player of the Season accolade.Discussing the squad’s first new arrival, Justin added: “We know the type of player he is and what he has done over the last few seasons. He is a special player and he has got that quality that it is hard to come by, to be honest. “Hopefully he is a good addition to the squad and keeps us going in the right direction. Obviously, he knows loads of the lads already so I am sure he will bed properly in no time.”Daniel Farke’s squad have reported back for their first week of testing before they travel across the Atlantic for the much-anticipated US Tour this summer, where they will face Wrexham, Sunderland and Liverpool in three of the States’ most iconic venues.Discussing the upcoming trip, the England international is looking forward to playing once more in front of the Leeds United faithful and hopes a productive pre-season schedule will translate into performances in the Premier League.“Leeds is a worldwide club and hopefully we can have a few fans out there in the US and, yeah, see what it is like, the facilities, and make sure we are training right to be ready for the upcoming season.“Now, we are going to have new goals and we are excited for the upcoming season. The first thing is to get to safety mark. That is the baseline. “Last season was great and we finished 14th. That was a good start but backing it up season after season and growing on things and building things is the most difficult part.”

By Guy Harvey
The Rhinos’ scholarship side travelled to Merseyside on a sweltering Wednesday evening to close out their 2026 campaign against a St Helens side that had won every fixture of the season bar an opening-day draw with Wigan. Simon Brown’s men, meanwhile, arrived on the back of a difficult defeat to Castleford last time out and will have been eager to finish the year on a high note.
However, Leeds were left to rue a last-gasp Saints try after producing some of their best attacking rugby of the season, only to be denied at the death.
Tries from Lewis Kline, Joseph Gill, Dylan Baira, Alfie Quinn and Kazimierz Ciuraj-Davison had the Rhinos firmly in the contest, with Noah Sheriffe immaculate off the tee and Oliver Vincent slotting a penalty to keep the scoreboard ticking over. But for all their attacking threat, it was Saints who had the final word, crossing in the closing seconds to snatch the win and leave Leeds with nothing to show for their efforts.
Saints made the early running, punishing a Leeds knock-on inside their own half. Stand-off Joe Hart ran at the line, threw a dummy to open up space ahead of him, and stepped past the Leeds full-back to touch down before converting his own try to make it 6-0.
They doubled their lead minutes later when Aiden Rawsthorne broke down the right edge from inside his own half, racing deep into Leeds territory before finding Jensen Birchall unmarked on his inside shoulder to finish with ease. Hart’s conversion made it 12-0.
Leeds hit back minutes later through Lewis Kline, who dived over on the left edge after Leeds went through the middle, were held up short, and shifted the ball wide to find him. Sheriffe’s conversion made it 12-6, and the Rhinos were level minutes later when Joseph Gill broke through the middle and raced the length of the field to score, Sheriffe again splitting the posts to make it 12-12.
Leeds then edged in front when Lewis Kilner made a break to put his side into dangerous territory, and second-rower Dylan Baira crashed over from close range. Sheriffe’s boot made it 18-12. Saints hit back just before the break, Rawsthorne again breaking down the edge to find Birchall in support, and Hart’s conversion levelled things at 18-18 at half-time.
Leeds struck early in the second half, camped on the Saints line for a number of tackles before shifting the ball to the right edge for Alfie Quinn to squeeze over in the corner. Sheriffe’s toughest kick of the day, from the touchline, was true, making it 24-18.
Saints hit back almost immediately as Alfie Lyon broke the line before racing away untouched to score, Finlay James’s taking over kicking duties, adding the conversion and squaring things at 24-24.
Leeds would retake the lead in bizarre circumstances. Unable to escape their own 20, Saints’ last-tackle kick option went badly wrong, cannoning back off a defender and straight into the path of Kazimierz Ciuraj-Davison, who simply had to fall on the ball to score. Sheriffe added a straightforward conversion to make it 30-24.
With time running down, Leeds was awarded a penalty in easy kicking territory and with the option of an eight-point lead, Oliver Vincent stepped up and slotted home. It stretched the lead to eight points.  
Saints hit back through Jensen Birchall, but the conversion was missed, leaving Leeds four points clear and it looked to be enough to see Leeds home, but with seconds left and Saints camped on the Leeds line, a chip kick evaded the Rhinos’ defence and fell into the path of centre Leo Gaskell, who dived on it to level the scores at 32-32. Finlay James held his nerve to land the conversion and complete the win, 34-32.
A cruel way for Leeds to finish, having led for large parts of an entertaining contest, but a bitterly disappointing result as the season draws to a close.
St Helens Scholarship
19. Dylan Barnes 2. Issac Davies 3. Ethan Bass 4. Leo Gaskell 5. Isaac Kelsey 6. Joe Hart 7. Reece McAdam 8. Spencer Lowe 9. Lucas Orgill 10. Connor Briggs 11. Robbie Simpson 12. Aiden Rawsthorne 13. Alfie Lyon Subs:- 1. Jensen Birchall 14. Kian Redford 15. Billy Bridge 16. Finlay James 17. Reuben Hirst 18. Havery Woolfenden 20. Oscar Kenny
Leeds Rhinos Scholarship
1.Noah Sheriffe 2. Wade Smith 3. Lewis Kilmer 4. Deacon Ellam 5. Alfie Quinn 6. Oliver Vincent 7. Charlie Medley 8. Kazimierz Ciuraj-Davison 9. Jordan Barker-Day 10. Ben Smith 11. Dylan Baira 12. Joe Gill 13. Bamidele Olasode Subs:- 14. Oliver Brown 15. Eli Kirrane-Perrin 16. Tristan King 17. Sam Spears 18. Jaylen Johnson 19. Laike Smith 20. Charlie Hagan

July 15th 

©IMAGO

The summer transfer window has officially opened and while the main attention is on the World Cup, clubs are working away on major deals. For most clubs, planning will already be complete and they will have identified which players they want to sign, and which players they want to sell.
Managers will be constantly assessing their squads with sporting directors and recruitment staff scanning the market for potential deals this summer. The rumour mill is still gathering pace and we’ve collated some of the biggest current transfer stories – you can access the full rumour mill below.
Today’s biggest transfer stories

Barcelona are weighing up a move for Cristian Romero. The 28-year-old is currently at the World Cup with Argentina but it’s understood that he will look to leave Tottenham Hotspur this summer with Barca interested.

Juventus are interested in signing Folarin Balogun this summer. The 25-year-old has been linked with Chelsea, PSG and Tottenham but Juve are the club most likely to submit the bid. It’s understood that Monaco value the United States international at around €50m.

Arsenal are reportedly open to including Viktor Gyökeres in their offer to sign Julian Alvarez. The Argentina international is the Gunners’ priority attacking target this summer with Atletico Madrid valuing him in advance of €100m.

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New Leeds United rivals have signed a £20m winger as the Premier League’s summer trading gathers pace. We compile every top-flight deal so far, alongside the latest Leeds ins and outs.According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, the list includes Coventry City’s club-record £20m purchase, Crystal Palace adding a defender, and a fresh move for former Leeds youngster James Debayo.Arsenal have taken Illan Meslier on a free after his Leeds exit and made Piero Hincapie’s loan move permanent for £25m. Jakub Kiwior has joined Porto and Karl Hein has signed for Werder Bremen after loans.Aston Villa have a pre-contract in place for Modou Keba Cisse from LASK. Sil Swinkels and Louie Barry have joined Sheffield Wednesday, and Kadan Young has gone on loan to Annecy.Bournemouth have appointed Marco Rose head coach. Marcos Senesi has joined Tottenham as his contract expired, Luis Sinisterra has switched to Cruizeiro after a loan, and Romain Faivre, Michael Dacosta Gonzalez, Hamed Traore and Owen Bevan have departed, while Andoni Iraola has left for Liverpool.Brentford have added Jannik Schuster, Jaidon Anthony and Callum Wilson. Reiss Nelson has returned to Arsenal after a loan, and exits include Frank Onyeka to Coventry City plus loans for Michael Olakigbe and Romelle Donovan.Brighton have signed Pascal Struijk, Michael Svoboda, Rodrigo Rego, Zadok Yohanna and Costinha, while Jan Paul van Hecke has joined Tottenham and James Milner is retiring. Chelsea have brought in Marco Palestra and Geovany Quenda, with Marc Cucurella moving to Real Madrid.

Leeds United
Credit: Imago

Leeds United have already signed Harry Wilson on a free transfer and are now pushing to finalise deals to improve their defence and midfield.

The Yorkshire giants finished 14th in their first season back in the Premier League. However, they are aware that the second season is likely to be tougher.

Most Read on The Leeds Press

Daniel Farke is seeking to strengthen several areas of their squad ahead of the summer, with particular emphasis on adding defensive and attacking reinforcements.

However, Leeds have been working behind the scenes for several weeks to sign one of their long-term targets, and an agreement now appears to be edging closer as the selling club prepare for the player’s departure.

Read More: Leeds United nearing breakthrough in deal to sign £25m midfielder

Selling club expect Leeds United target’s sale

Daniel Farke has been keen to add major upgrades to his squad, even in areas where they seemingly look well-stocked ahead of the new season.

The Leeds boss is aware that he needs better options across the pitch to ensure Leeds stay away from the relegation quagmire in the 2026/27 campaign.

Leeds have been in negotiations with Southampton for weeks over a deal to sign Shea Charles, and this deal has been anything but straightforward.

The Saints have slapped a £30m asking price on the midfielder and have already rejected two offers from Leeds this summer.

Leeds held more positive talks with Southampton towards the end of last week and have been expecting an imminent solution.

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Southampton expect to sell the midfielder in the ongoing transfer window.

Despite the belligerence in negotiations, the Championship side expected Charles to leave before the transfer window closes.

With Southampton and Leeds expected to fly out for their pre-season tours in the coming weeks, a deal is likely to be finalised soon.

There has been talk of other clubs showing an interest in Charles, but Leeds believe they are firmly in the lead to sign him this summer.

The midfielder wants to join the Whites and his camp are pushing Southampton to agree on a fee soon.

Leeds United do not want to overpay for Shea Charles

Shea Charles remains one of Leeds United’s priority targets this summer, but the club are determined not to overpay despite Southampton’s firm stance.

The 22-year-old has just one year remaining on his contract and is still relatively untested at Premier League level. Leeds feel Southampton’s £30m valuation is excessive for a player who is yet to establish himself consistently in the top flight.

The Saints have already turned down bids of up to £23m, but negotiations have continued, with Leeds seeking a middle ground that works for both clubs.

If the deal goes through, the Whites are hopeful it can be completed for a fee closer to £25m rather than Southampton’s original asking price.

All you need to know as teams return to training in preparation for the 2026/27 season
Players of Premier League clubs are beginning to return for pre-season training ahead of the 2026/27 campaign. 
What is pre-season?
Pre-season is the period before the start of the official Premier League campaign. It usually starts near the beginning of July, when players return from holiday following a period of rest. 
Clubs and players use this time to get in shape for the new campaign. They do so via a number of methods including fitness tests and friendly matches against other teams. 
Which teams have started pre-season?
AFC Bournemouth, Brentford, Brighton & Hove Albion, Chelsea, Coventry City, Ipswich Town, Liverpool and Manchester United are among those whose players have started to return to training. Everton’s pre-season began on 10 July, while numerous other clubs are due to return on 13 July. 
Will World Cup players start pre-season late?
While many first-team players are reporting back to their clubs during the opening weeks of July, those involved in the latter stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup are expected to be granted a well-earned rest before the new Premier League season commences on 21 August.
Players who reach the quarter-finals, semi-finals or final may not return to their clubs until early August.
When are the first pre-season friendlies? 
The first pre-season friendly matches are scheduled to take place on Saturday 18 July, with Coventry, Everton, Man Utd, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and Sunderland all in action. 
You can see ALL confirmed pre-season friendly matches below. Best of pre-season so far

Key dates before Premier League football returns
19 July – FIFA World Cup final12 August – UEFA Super Cup16 August – FA Community Shield20 August – UEFA Conference League playoff round21 August – Premier League season begins