Michael Appleton is looking to bolster his forward options at Charlton Athletic as he targets Ipswich Town’s Freddie Ladapo, according to Football Insider.
The 30-year-old has found himself playing a bit-part role this season while Kieran McKenna’s side challenge for a second consecutive promotion, with 17 appearances to his name yet only seven of these appearances coming as part of the starting lineup. Ladapo has found the back of the net twice but is seemingly quite far down the pecking order.
Despite finding his appearances limited this season, Ladapo played a starring role in The Tractor Boy’s promotion from League One last season, scoring 17 goals as the Suffolk outfit achieved automatic promotion, finishing second behind winners Plymouth Argyle.
With Charlton Athletic keen to make a loan approach for the striker, Ladapo may be tempted to return to the third tier where he has been a regular talisman over the years, having won promotion with both Ipswich Town and Rotherham United in his most recent seasons in the division. The former Rotherham United star has scored 66 times in 201 games in the third tier and seems to flourish in the league.
A move could be good for all parties involved. With Ipswich Town also in the market for a new forward, it is possible that Ladapo’s departure could help to facilitate room for a new striker at Portman Road.
The Addicks currently sit 13th in League One and are 13 points adrift of the play-off positions, having appointed Michael Appleton after Dean Holden’s dismissal early season. Despite having the most prolific striker in the league in the form of Alfie May, Charlton have struggled when their talisman has missed games through injury and are crying out for a second-striker.
With his current contract set to expire in June 2025, it is likely that Ipswich will look to secure a permanent move for Ladapo in the summer.
Writer’s View
Ladapo is a proven talisman at League One level, he would be a valuable asset to any club in the third tier. A loan move would be great for all parties involved, as Ladapo looks to put himself in the market for a permanent switch in the summer after finding his minutes limited at Portman Road.
Charlton have a very proven and experienced squad in League One, another goalscorer alongside Alfie May could help to propel the South London outfit into play-off contention.
