Charlton Athletic are closing in on a deal for Cheltenham Town’s highly sought-after attacker Alfie May, according to South London Press.
The 30-year-old forward has scored 43 goals in 85 Sky Bet League One appearances for The Robins, following their promotion to England’s third tier in 2021, netting in both fixtures against his prospective new club last season.
It is understood The Addicks have presented May with a three-year deal, after a significant six-figure bid was launched for his services.
Which clubs are interested?
Ambitious League Two outfit Gillingham submitted a £200,000 bid for the forward last month, with hopes of bringing him closer to his Gravesend roots.
Gillingham manager Neil Harris even went as far as confirming his interest in the Kent-born striker, when questioned in a press conference last month.
When asked about the rumours, the 45-year-old said: “He is a player I have admired for a long time, coming through non-league levels. He’s developed brilliantly into a league goal scorer.
“He’s a local player as we know, but he’s a Cheltenham player and we’re very respectful to that.
“There’s a lot of moving parts to sign a player who’s under contract. He is a sought-after player.
“The fact that we’re having this conversation is a real positive but there would have to be a lot of work and a lot of development for someone like Alfie May to come to Gillingham.”
Fellow League One sides Bristol Rovers and Derby County were linked with Cheltenham’s no.10, however, it appears Dean Holden’s side have won the race for May, who was signed for just £5,000 from Doncaster Rovers in 2020.
The South Yorkshire outfit will have an added interest in his next move, after a 20% sell on fee was inserted into the deal.
Who is Alfie May?
Born in Gravesend, May joined Millwall’s academy aged nine.
The now 5ft 9″ striker was released aged 14, due to his small stature.
After playing in non-league for Corinthian, Billericay Town, Chatham Town, Bromley, VCD Athletic, Erith & Belvedere, Farnborough, and Hythe Town, he turned professional at the age of 27 for League Two side Doncaster Rovers.
In January 2020, he initially signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Cheltenham Town, scoring six goals in 12 games as the Gloucestershire side won Sky Bet League Two.
He later won League One Player of the Month in February 2022 and March 2023, as well as being awarded Cheltenham Town’s Players’ Player and Supporters’ Player of the year for the 2021/22 season.
Writer’s View
Football purists will be happy to see a player continue to try and test themselves at the highest level possible. Although now 30 years of age, it would have been a shame to see a player, who scored 20+ goals in back-to-back seasons, drop down a division, although a move closer to home would be understandable. Thoughts turn to how Cheltenham will now replace an integral member of the squad, who’s goals have largely contributed to their 15th and 16th place finishes in recent seasons.
