The Shea Charles door that could potentially open for Celtic

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Shea Charles has been named as one of several midfield targets Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has on his radar before the transfer deadline.

The Northern Ireland international could be available on loan this window, with suggestions that an option to buy could also be included in any potential move north of the border.

After joining Southampton last year for £15 million, the former Manchester City youth has gone on to make 38 appearances on the South Coast.

Saints return to Premier League action this weekend against Newcastle United following their heroics in the Sky Bet Championship play-off final last term.

With the step up in quality comes the need to match the demands of the English top flight. Usually, this requires lengthy squad surgery to survive in a league that is becoming increasingly difficult for newly promoted sides to establish themselves in.

Considering that, Southampton are on the verge of a transaction that could allow Celtic to firm up their advances for Charles.

The Shea Charles door that could soon open for Celtic

Intriguingly, Southampton boss Russell Martin has already directly addressed rumours that Charles could head to Celtic this window. He claimed there was ‘not a chance’ of the midfielder departing St Mary’s Stadium without his side adding reinforcements in the engine room.

He stated [Southern Daily Echo]: “With the squad, as it is right now, not a chance. We need some reinforcements, I think.”

Holding onto that thought, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Chelsea’s Lesley Oguchukwu is now on the verge of joining Southampton on a loan deal for the season.

He stated: “Lesley Ugochukwu, set to join Southampton on loan deal with NO buy option clause included. Chelsea believe in Lesley’s potential as future part of first team, same as Andrey Santos.”

With the France Under-21 international set to strengthen Saints’ midfield ranks, Celtic could now strike if they are still keen to land Charles.

Flynn Downes has joined Southampton permanently from West Ham United and Adam Lallana is also back at his boyhood club, representing two more bodies who ply their trade in the middle of the park.

Late deals can sometimes hinge on several moving parts. In this case, could a vital roadblock have now been cleared for Celtic? The next couple of weeks will give us that answer.