AFC Wimbledon are in talks to sign Charlton Athletic striker Daniel Kanu on loan as they prepare for life back in League One.
The 20-year-old Sierra Leone international could become a key attacking addition for the Dons after their play-off promotion last term.
Kanu in Line for Dons Loan as Jackson Targets Goals
The Addicks forward is the subject of advanced talks over a season-long loan to the newly promoted Wombles, with Johnnie Jackson keen to add firepower ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. Kanu has risen through the youth ranks at Charlton, signing professional terms in February 2022 and extending his stay through to 2027 following a breakout year in 2023/24.
That season saw Kanu register seven goals in 34 appearances across all competitions, before a short but prolific loan at Southend United yielded four goals in six outings. He made 20 more appearances last term but found the net just once as Charlton secured a return to the Championship under Nathan Jones.
With his pathway to first-team football at The Valley now potentially blocked by summer arrivals, Kanu could head to Plough Lane for more consistent game time. His move would address a clear need for Wimbledon, whose defensive strength underpinned promotion, but who struggled to score freely.
Jackson’s side had the best defensive record in League Two last season—conceding only 35 goals—but their 56 goals scored was the fewest of any side in the top seven. Mathew Stevens was responsible for 17 of those, leaving a heavy burden on the front line.
The addition of Kanu would not only ease that reliance but offer a more mobile, high-press option through the middle. While his goalscoring record in League One (six in 30 during the 2023/24 season) isn’t prolific, his age and development trajectory suggest untapped potential. His combination of work rate, physicality, and composure in front of goal could prove a good fit for the demands of third-tier football.
Having already experienced both League One and the National League, Kanu offers versatility and readiness that make him an attractive proposition for Wimbledon’s first season back at this level.
Writer’s View
AFC Wimbledon have built success under Johnnie Jackson on defensive discipline, but they’ll need attacking reinforcements to survive the step up. Daniel Kanu isn’t the finished product, but he represents exactly the kind of player the Dons should be targeting—young, hungry, and with something to prove.
His loan at Southend hinted at a natural goal instinct, and with regular minutes at Plough Lane, he could thrive. This move feels like smart business from both sides, giving Charlton a platform to develop a prospect while giving Wimbledon a much-needed attacking edge.
