Macauley Bonne’s contract is coming to an end with Charlton very soon, and with the fact he’s been left out of the Addicks lineup in recent weeks, there’s no doubt in my mind that several clubs will be testing the waters to see if they can secure his signature when he departs The Valley.
Macauley Bonne hasn’t had his most fruitful campaign to date in terms of goals scored, scoring two goals in 16 appearances for the Addicks. The Addicks, in general, have underwhelmed this campaign as a collective – the Greenwich based club occupying 10th spot at the time of writing, way off the playoff chasing pack.
However, when Bonne gets going, he can be a menace for third tier defences to contain. His time in an Ipswich shirt on loan from QPR saw the 27-year-old become a fan favourite at Portman Road, scoring 11 goals in the process for the Tractor Boys during the 2021-22 season.
His previous goalscoring exploits have even seen him notch up double figures in the Championship, managing another 11 strikes during his first spell with the Addicks even if Charlton did eventually get relegated.
Therefore, you’d expect a whole host of clubs wanting to sign Macauley Bonne to recapture his previous best. Who could potentially swoop for his services?
Leyton Orient
Macauley Bonne has had two spells in Greenwich with Charlton, will he fancy putting on a Leyton Orient strip again?
Bonne was a goalscoring hero when he joined the then non-league Orient back in 2017, managing 45 goals in two years for the O’s. This rich goalscoring form saw the move to Charlton come about, Bonne far too good for non-league football at the time.
With Leyton Orient winning automatic promotion to League One – clinching the League Two title in recent games under Richie Wellens – the O’s boss will want to secure some signings who are experienced heads who know the division well.
Likewise, Orient might well need to bolster their attack for the step-up. Bonne, as well, would view this as an attractive move as he’d be back at a club where the goals were flying in for him.
Stevenage
Another of the confirmed automatic promotion teams from League Two could well see Macauley Bonne as a potential option to sign, Steve Evans’ Stevenage looking forward to testing themselves in League One next season.
Steve Evans is renowned for wanting signings by the bucket load wherever he goes – and with Stevenage arguably punching above their weight to clinch promotion to the third tier – that way of operating will not change from the Scotsman in charge to help his side compete.
One area they will try to strengthen is in attack, Jamie Reid has led the line for The Boro this campaign adequately but he hasn’t blown fourth tier defences away – notching up 10 goals for Steve Evans’ men. As a result, with Bonne’s experience at the level, Evans and co might well see Bonne as a good bit of business to help the attackers out.
Bristol Rovers
The Gas might well also look at Bonne as a signing for the summer, especially with the fact Josh Coburn will be returning to Middlesbrough and attempting a move higher up the English football pyramid. Further, Aaron Collins’ recent recognition at the EFL awards – winning League One Player of the Season – might well see clubs come in for The Gas’ star forward.
With the relative success of bringing in experienced striker John Marquis to the Memorial Stadium, and Coburn’s eventual return to Middlesbrough looming large, Joey Barton might well view Bonne as a striker worth going for to bolster his attacking options.
Even if Aaron Collins was to stay, Joey Barton won’t say no to adding reinforcements to his squad.
Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham could well be another suitor for Bonne’s services in the summer, Alfie May’s expected departure from the Robins means there could well be a void in the striker department.
Aidan Keena’s arrival over from Ireland has given Cheltenham fans some cause for optimism – the ex Sligo Rovers striker netting three times since making the switch in January – but the young Irish forward could do with having an experienced head next to him in attack. Therefore, with Alfie May rumoured to depart, Macauley Bonne could well take over that role of a striker who’s been there and done that.
Other strikers haven’t set the world alight for Wade Elliott’s men this season either – both Will Goodwin and Christian Norton up top still goalless with a solitary League One game left. Could Wade Elliott see Macauley Bonne as a way to solve these issues, alongside the problem of Alfie May likely to leave?
Oxford United
The last potential destination for Bonne when his Charlton contract expires could be Oxford United, Liam Manning’s U’s all but safe now in the third tier which means their attention will now have turned to the summer and who they can add to their squad.
Oxford United, in the past, have been linked with Macauley Bonne numerous times – the rumour mill even suggested Bonne might join the U’s this January but nothing concrete materialised. Since then, Oxford United have obviously switched personnel in the managerial dug-out – would Liam Manning be as keen to bring the two-time Zimbabwe international to Oxfordshire?
Most of Oxford’s attackers are young loanees at this present moment in time – Kyle Joseph and Tyler Smith the preferred options under Manning. Liam Manning might well see the free transfer option of Bonne, therefore, as a way to add to some necessary experience to his side to turn them into a competitive League One outfit next season.
What are your thoughts on my selection for the potential clubs Macauley Bonne could join? Let me know by commenting below…
