Leeds United could miss out on one of their key transfer targets this summer, as Football Insider reports that a Premier League rival is eyeing a potential hijack.

It comes as the Whites are looking at opportunities to improve the squad for next season, with a deal for Harry Wilson already lined up to do just that.

Talks are ongoing to sign Julian Brandt as a free agent, while Leeds are also considering defenders to replace the outgoing Pascal Struijk after agreeing the terms of a move to Brighton.

Then there’s interest in the midfield ranks, with a bid submitted for Shea Charles earlier in the window in the hopes of landing the Southampton ace.

No agreement has been reached for the midfielder, and now Leeds could face a battle to land the Northern Ireland international in the transfer window.

Crystal Palace Eye Shea Charles Hijack

While Leeds are hoping to seal a deal for Charles, the club could now miss out, as Football Insider reports that Crystal Palace are “hopeful” of sealing a deal with Southampton.

It’s claimed that the Eagles are optimistic that their qualification for the Europa League will help seal a move for the 22-year-old ahead of the Whites this summer.

Any move is likely to cost both teams a significant fee, with £30 million now quoted as the asking price set by Southampton to let Charles leave before the window slams shut.

So far, Leeds have seen an offer rejected below that valuation, leaving the possibility of a hijack from Crystal Palace open before Daniel Farke’s side can reach an agreement of their own.

There is also the threat of Manchester United lurking in the background for the youngster, who was formerly of their city rivals Manchester City.

As it stands, it would appear as though the Red Devils are looking at other options, having been linked with Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, but it’s unclear whether they may push to land Charles in the near future.

For Leeds, it all represents a potential blow in the race to sign their key target. It may be tough for the club to provide the same funding as their rivals, who have had Premier League finance for longer, while both also have European football they can promise.

Leeds Need Charles Deal Completed

Leeds are looking to improve their ranks this summer, and while they can do so by adding some peak-age players like Wilson and Brandt, there needs to be some future-proofing involved in the squad building.

At just 22, Charles already has plenty of potential in senior football and quality to back it up, as he looks set to have a career at the top of the game for years to come.

He has been described as “exciting”, having shown all the hallmarks of a top player. If he can continue to grow with Leeds, then he will prove to be worth every bit of that £30 million price tag and perhaps more.

While there is a clear need to build for the here and now, adding quality for the long-term future will be equally important for Leeds in having a setup ready to cement them in the Premier League for years to come.

Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt a significant blow in their pursuit of Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali as Manchester City have now joined the race to sign the Italian, according to Chronicle Live.

Tonali enjoyed an impressive 2025/26 season, despite the Magpies’ struggles, scoring three goals and registering six assists in 53 appearances across all competitions. This campaign has sparked interest in the 26-year-old from a host of top clubs, including Spurs, Manchester United, Arsenal and now Man City.

Tottenham are understood to be frontrunners in the chase for the Italy international, although a twist in the saga has seemingly now unfolded.

Newcastle are braced for a bidding war between interested parties, with City’s emerging interest set to prompt an intense transfer battle.

Man City join race for Sandro Tonali

via Reuters

Tottenham have reportedly already agreed personal terms with Tonali, while other reports suggest that they’ve tabled a bid worth around £75 million for the midfield maestro, which was swiftly rejected by Newcastle.

These developments seem to indicate that Spurs are well out in front in the race for the former AC Milan man’s signature, although Chronicle Live journalist Lee Ryder reports that Man City have entered the fray, as expected.

Sources close to Tonali’s camp describe City as genuine candidates to lure the player away from Tyneside this summer. Enzo Maresca is understood to be a keen admirer of the energetic number eight, and the Citizens are now prepared to hijack Tottenham’s move for him.

City would “easily match” Spurs’ £275,000-per-week contract offer to Tonali, according to the report, as they look to bolster a midfield department which has lost Bernardo Silva and needs a long-term replacement for Rodri.

The north-west outfit may have just splashed £116million on Elliot Anderson, but they’re eager to provide new manager Enzo Maresca with additional midfield firepower to ensure he has the tools to field a competitive team in the post-Pep Guardiola era.

City’s Tonali interest a serious blow for Tottenham

Spurs have seemingly set their sights on Tonali and may have begun preparing for life with the Newcastle man. Roberto De Zerbi holds a close relationship with the player’s agent, Giuseppe Riso, and this link may have been the catalyst for this deal developing to the stage it has.

However, City’s interest presents a spanner in the works for the Lilywhites. The temptation of playing for a club expected to compete for major honours, rather than a side rebuilding after near relegation, could well be too much for Tonali to turn down.

Spurs are now at serious risk of missing out on their top midfield target, which would force them to assess other options. Mateus Fernandes has been linked with a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, although West Ham are supposedly looking for an excessive fee for the Portuguese midfielder.

Celtic may be forced to cash in on star player Arne Engels this summer as clubs across the Premier League and Europe circle for the Belgian midfielder’s signature.

The Scottish giants will be hoping for a less chaotic season this campaign after last term saw two permanent managers depart with Martin O’Neill signing a permanent deal following two interim spells in charge.

O’Neill did lead the Parkhead club to the Premiership title on the final day, edging Hearts in a dramatic 3-1 win, as well as the Scottish FA Cup, beating Dunfermline in the final, also by a 3-1 scoreline.

Alongside their league campaign, Celtic once again competed in Europe, reaching the first knockout stage before losing to Stuttgart.

Now, with numerous high profile clubs targeting a move for Engels, the 22-year-old is likely to seek a new challenge this summer. Although Premier League clubs have been linked with a move, an Italian side are the latest to have approached Celtic.

Roma targeting Engels

According to Il Messaggero, via Sport Witness, Italian outfit AS Roma have made ‘initial contact’ with Engels’ representatives in ‘recent days’.

Roma are prepared to lose France midfielder Manu Kone this summer and are seeking potential alternatives. The report adds that Celtic value Engels at around €20-25million, a fee the Italian side could afford.

Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace are two of the English clubs that have been named as other potential destinations for the 22-year-old.

Forest are set to receive a major windfall from selling Elliot Anderson to Manchester City in a deal worth in excess of £116million while Palace have Europa League football on offer this season after the Europa Conference League triumph.

Engels is ready for the next step

Since his move to Celtic from Augsburg in 2024, Engels has comfortably been one of the Hoops’ best players and now seems to have outgrown the Scottish Premiership.

The midfielder made 46 appearances across all competitions last season, scoring seven goals and registering eight assists, scoring vital goals in title-clinching victories against Hearts and Dunfermline.

Labelled “outstanding” by former manager Brendan Rodgers, Engels still has two years left on his current Celtic deal and is also a senior Belgium international with four caps to his name. Therefore, the Hoops could demand more than the €20million to 25million quoted, especially if selling to an English club.

A number of Celtic players of the past have made the move from Parkhead to the Premier League and done well, but Roma could also be an attractive proposition with the Italian side qualifying for the Champions League after their third-place finish in Serie A.