Charlton Athletic boss Michael Appleton confirmed that the club have rejected a bid for winger Corey Blackett-Taylor from a fellow League One club.
Speaking following the Addicks’ 2-1 defeat to Peterborough United on the weekend, the 48-year-old said: “I know there’s been a bid rejected. Until a bid gets accepted, he’ll remain our player and be available if he’s fit.” Blackett-Taylor missed the game against Posh due to a leg injury.
The winger is a priority target for League One promotion challengers Derby County, with Derbyshire Live reporting that Paul Warne’s side approached the Greenwich club on Deadline Day last summer, but their offer was rebuffed.
Charlton’s number 23 has been a key figure in their push for the play-offs, with the 26-year-old contributing eight goals and six assists in the league. The former Aston Villa academy player arrived at The Valley from Tranmere Rovers in 2021.
A fresh second bid was rejected earlier in the current window, with Derbyshire Live understanding that the bid from the Pride Park club was in the region of £250,000. The paper also reports that Derby are preparing a new bid in the coming days.
Speaking after their 3-2 win over Burton Albion last night, Rams head coach Paul Warne refused to comment on the transfer speculation. He said: “I am not talking about a player at another club. I have never done that and I will not do that. There are players I’ve been linked to. My wife showed me one who I’d been linked to at Reading which was completely not true. If there is something to tell you, I would be the first to do so. At the moment there are no new players in the building and that is my final answer.”
The East Midlands club moved to within touching distance of League One leaders Portsmouth following their victory over the Brewers, With Conor Hourihane scoring a last-minute winner to secure all three points. Charlton are some distance away from the playoffs, 16 points behind 6th-placed Barnsley, who have a game in hand on The Addicks.
Writer’s View
Charlton Athletic are in a precarious position with their attacking line. Corey Blackett-Taylor is their leading assister and 2nd highest scorer, with only Alfie May ahead of the 26-year-old. Losing him to a League One rival would severely hurt them. With the deal with Jonson Clarke-Harris stalling, Michael Appleton will have to rely on his attacking depth until either the arrival of the Peterborough striker or a new option comes through the door.
Paul Warne refused to add fuel to the fire of the rumours, but from the multiple bids the club have submitted, it seems he is keen to add to his attacking force. Both Tom Barkhuizen and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing aren’t getting any younger, so adding a younger option to play out wide is smart business by The Rams. Derby have the second most goals of any club in the league this season, so Blackett-Taylor will need to prove he can add to that quickly to stake his claim to a starting spot.
Football journalist with The Real EFL since 2023. A 2024 Multimedia Journalism graduate from the University of Salford, Lewis specialises in Salford City FC and EFL coverage.
