Celtic have been linked with a plethora of midfielders this window as Brendan Rodgers looks to add steel in the engine room.
Speculation surrounding Matt O’Riley’s future has hit fever pitch this window. Brighton & Hove Albion have put forward £26 million for the Denmark international and there is a possibility could leave the club before the deadline.
Once upon a time, Southampton were serious contenders to sign the Hounslow-born playmaker. Last month, reports also emerged that Saints midfielder Shea Charles was a target for Celtic.
The Bhoys were keen on a loan deal for the Northern Ireland international with a potential option to buy, but it appears events have moved on a bit since then.
Southampton boss Russell Martin has now shed light on where Charles will be playing his football this season.
Shea Charles set for Sheffield Wednesday move
Speaking to The Daily Echo, Martin has revealed that Charles is headed on loan to Sheffield Wednesday for the campaign after helping the club claim promotion in his debut season.
Martin explained: “He is going to Sheffield Wednesday and that would be a brilliant loan move for him I think. He did great in his first senior season. I think because of how much money we paid for him, there’s a feeling with some people that it wasn’t a great season.
“He played a big part in helping the team achieve promotion in his first season in men’s football. It doesn’t often happen, in a position that’s really important.He will benefit from going somewhere and trying to play every single game because otherwise it just stops his development to be a back-up player really.
“He’s a long-term signing for the club and he will now help Sheffield Wednesday a lot with a really good coach who has had a relationship with the club.”
Confirmation nears on Shea Charles move
Crucially, Charles won’t be coming to Celtic this window. It always felt like Southampton were using him as a ploy to potentially get out of paying a hefty fee for O’Riley.
Nevertheless, neither club’s interest looks like coming to fruition, with journalist Pete O’Rourke reporting that talks are now advanced over a deal on social media platform X.
Martin has already confirmed these suspicions; you can safely assume the door is now officially closed on the idea of Charles at Celtic.
Hopefully, that means the reigning Scottish Premiership champions have someone else lined up to come in and strengthen the engine room.
Brendan Rodgers wants two midfielders this window; he has said so himself, so there is encouragement that arrivals could be on the way with a week of the window left.
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