Rangers and Danny Rohl makes move to sign the 22-year-old Southampton F.C. midfielder

Rangers and manager Danny Rohl could secure the ideal successor to Nicolas Raskin by making a move for Southampton midfielder Shea Charles next year.

Reports late last week indicated that both Rangers and Sheffield United are monitoring the Northern Ireland international, who remains under contract at St Mary’s until 2027. Rohl is very familiar with the 22-year-old, having coached him during their time together at Sheffield Wednesday last season.

Rangers Risk Losing Nicolas Raskin

Raskin is viewed as one of four core players Rohl wants to build his new-look squad around as he attempts to lift the team back up the Scottish Premiership table. However, the Belgian may not stay long enough to be part of that project.

Fresh reports claim that the 49ers ownership group would be willing to cash in on the 24-year-old, with interest emerging from Serie A and the Premier League. A fee of around £20 million—a potential club-record sale—has been mentioned.

For Rohl, losing Raskin would be a significant setback. The midfielder had previously been frozen out by Russell Martin before being reinstated shortly prior to the manager’s dismissal, and Rohl considers him central to the club’s revival.

Signing Charles, however, would go a long way to softening that blow.

Charles Could Make Fans Forget Raskin

While Raskin’s quality is unquestioned, Charles is more than capable of stepping into a key role at Ibrox.

Southampton are thought to be weighing up the midfielder’s future, particularly if the next manager does not see him as a tactical fit. With his contract ticking down, Saints may prefer to sell rather than risk losing the former Manchester City academy product—signed for up to £15 million—for free in 2027.

Southampton’s recent re-signing of Oriol Romeu and the presence of Caspar Jander and Flynn Downes give the club further midfield depth, adding uncertainty to Charles’ position should he decline a new deal.

A Dream Target for Rohl and Rangers

Charles has developed rapidly over the past 18 months and now looks every inch a top-level Championship midfielder, attracting interest from Premier League side West Ham United.

His numbers underline his all-round ability.
According to FBref, Charles ranks in the:

• 87th percentile for shot-creating actions

• 82nd percentile for progressive carries

Defensively, he excels in both tackling and interceptions, and he is confident carrying the ball forward. His disguised passes and line-breaking distribution have also stood out for Southampton this season.

Rohl, who named Charles Sheffield Wednesday’s 2024–25 Player of the Season, has previously called him “outstanding”, praising his reading of the game, ball-winning ability, and strength in the holding midfield role.

He also predicted Charles would enjoy “a great career in a top division”—and the German manager will hope that next step happens at Rangers, especially if the club is forced to part ways with Raskin.