Charlton Athletic Boss Addresses Transfer Rumours

Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones says that striker Alfie May will remain at the Valley ‘if it is the best thing for this football club’.

The 30-year-old only joined the Addicks last summer in a deal worth a reported £250,000 from Cheltenham Town. His form at the Robins was what convinced Charlton to make the move for the striker as they looked to end their four-year stay in League One.

Beginning the campaign as one of the favourites for promotion, the Londoners endured a nightmare start when they lost four of their opening five fixtures. An upturn in results was short-lived and they embarked on a three-month winless streak between December and February.

This saw manager Michael Appleton relieved of his duties in January, with former Southampton boss Nathan Jones taking over the reins. The 51-year-old was able to ease any relegation worries to eventually secure a 16th-placed finish.

Despite the dreadful campaign, May was the one shining light, scoring 23 goals to secure the League One Golden Boot. He was subsequently named the club’s Player of the Year and was named in the EFL’s Team of the Season.

The former Doncaster Rovers attacker penned a two-year deal last summer with the option of an additional 12 months. However, that has not put off Huddersfield Town, who have been linked with a move. The Terriers are hoping to make their stay in the third tier a brief one following their relegation from the Championship last season and have already completed the signing of the highly rated Lasse Sorensen from Lincoln City.

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Signing the division’s best goal scorer would boost their promotion chances, although Jones appears to have quashed the rumours. Speaking to South London Presshe said:

“It’s a very difficult one with Alfie. He is our player and we love Alfie here, he is a fans’ favourite and scores goals for us.

“I don’t just want this to be just about Alfie. What we have to do with decisions on any player is think about what is in the best interests of the club. If keeping Alfie is the best thing for this football club then that is what will happen.

“If for any reason Alfie May leaves this football club then we must have players that will come into the squad that make this football club significantly better.

“I have no financial pressure, or any pressure from the board or the club in any way to do anything.

“That is why I have come here – to have that autonomy to make sound decisions for the football club, to be bold and to really ask the board to back that. And they have, to every level. We’re under no pressure. We’re a big football club, in terms of that.

“For what has been rumoured around Alfie, we’re not under any pressure to sell to another rival.”

Writer’s View

This is clever wording from Nathan Jones. Obviously, the preference would be to keep their talisman and build the team around him next season. However, every player has a price and May will be no different.

The manager’s comments indicate they are under no pressure to sell and that any bid would have to be a lucrative one. Charlton will also be factoring in that they would have to pay former club Cheltenham a percentage of any fee, whilst they will be well-aware of the £5 million windfall Huddersfield have received for Jack Rudoni earlier this month.

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