While Borussia Dortmund close in on a £30 million deal for Sunderland midfielder Jobe Bellingham, could West Ham United get themselves an even better talent from England’s second tier?
And, though chairman David Sullivan has reservations about the Championship market, Hammers fans need only look at the success of Sunderland and the FA Cup triumph of London neighbours Crystal Palace for proof of the sort of value which can be found in the EFL.
West Ham were linked with Jobe Bellingham on the back of the teenager’s impressive debut season on Wearside in 2023/24.
One year later, despite Sunderland stunning Sheffield United at Wembley, Bellingham is following in Jude’s Borussia Dortmund footsteps.
Down the road at Selhurst Park, meanwhile, sits the FA Cup trophy. Crystal Palace’s first-ever major trophy secured by former Queens Park Rangers talisman Ebere Eze and lifted by one-time Swansea City defender Marc Guehi.
So, while Sullivan may be in no rush to invest heavily in the best Championship talent following the struggles of Flynn Downes and Crysencio Summerville, that has not stopped West Ham United being linked with Southampton starlet Shea Charles in recent times.
Sheffield Wednesday fans react as West Ham United eye Shea Charles
The Daily Mail reports that Charles – the 21-year-old Northern Ireland international who joined Southampton in a £15 million deal from Manchester City back in 2023 – has been identified by a Hammers side looking to overhaul a one-paced midfield with hungry, athletic young talent.
Now, the reaction from the South Coast to those emerging links spoke volumes.
Following a dreadful Premier League campaign, the Southampton fans are desperate to see Shea Charles stay put. Especially after he made such an impression on loan at Sheffield Wednesday last season.
It is the response from the Hillsborough faithful, however, which really tells West Ham what they would be getting.
“As a Wednesday fan, I would say [Charles is worth] around £25 million with a sell-on clause,” one Wednesday fan argues.
Another feels that, two years after West Ham paid £30 million to lure James Ward-Prowse away from St Mary’s, a fresh-faced dynamo nearly a decade his junior would represent a far more intelligent investment.
“Shea is not far off [Ward-Prowse] in quality and is [nine] years younger. We’ll see how much he goes for if West Ham buy him and you can come back to this
“It’s not just about the now. The lad is 21 and skipper for Northern Ireland. He has bags of potential and Southampton aren’t forced to sell him as they have parachute payments. They would only let him go for at least £25 million, in my opinion. Otherwise, it isn’t worth it for them.”
Southampton starlet is ‘miles clear of Jobe Bellingham’
Charles, despite only turning 21 in November of last year, has already captained the senior Northern Ireland outfit on three occasions.
Michael O’Neill, his boss at international level, describes the Man City graduate as a midfielder who ‘blows players away’. Charles, he says, is ‘so comfortable’ turning defence into attack with one of those lung-busting runs through the thirds.
In a West Ham side sorely lacking pace and athleticism – and, yes, James Ward-Prowse is part of that problem – Charles is not only an intelligent, long-term addition but a potentially transformative one too.
“[Southampton will demand] around £18 to £20 million,” another Sheffield Wednesday fan predicts, having watched Charles provide five assists during his first full season in senior league action. “[He is a] bargain at that in my opinion.
“I think he’s better than West Ham.”
“He’s gonna be a star, that lad.”
“If you are a Southampton fan seeing this, trust me you do not want to let go of this man,” one supporter adds, while another places him ahead of the aforementioned Bellingham based on last season’s evidence.
“Top player. The hate comments [from those doubting Charles’ quality] have never seen him play.”
“He’s absolutely mint, would adapt to the Premier League well.”
“Outstanding young talent.”
“He is quality. [West Ham] would be making a very wise decision signing him. Miles clear of Jobe Bellingham as well by the way.
“Sign him then loan to Wednesday, please!”
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