In the days when £20m gets you an established, left-footed central defender, Championship midfielders are much more costly.

If Leeds are serious about signing Shea Charles, they are going to have to spend a fair bit more than the £20m they've just got for Pascal Struijk.

Leeds are understood to have made an improved offer in excess of the £20m Southampton have apparently turned down for the player.

With Manchester United and Palace rumoured to be keen on him too, Leeds may well end up in a bidding-war and pay a near club-record fee if they are set on bringing him to West Yorkshire.

Saint's snapped up Charles from Man City's academy three-years ago. His stock has risen in the past 12 months. He spent the 24/25 season on-loan at Sheffield Wednesday but has already earned 35 Northern Ireland caps despite being only 22. Despite being recognised as a central defensive midfielder, he can drop into defence too.

However in my opinion £30m plus would be a lot to pay for someone who's had a couple of decent seasons in the EFL!

Photo: Action Images via Reuters