4 players that could save Charlton Athletic millions of pounds | OneFootball

Charlton Athletic are set for an important transfer window under Nathan Jones this summer, but a few of their existing players could save them money if they're given a chance.

Charlton have been linked with a few forwards since the end of the season, after recording their worst league finish in 98 years.

The Addicks reportedly held an interest in Coventry City striker Matty Godden and Motherwell forward Theo Bair, as well as being linked with Sheffield Wednesday attacker Mallik Wilks.

It appears as though Charlton will be unable to bring Bair to The Valley, with Championship clubs rumoured to be targeting the Canadian international, while they are facing competition from fellow League One sides for former Leeds United youngster Wilks.

Jones explained within weeks of his arrival at the club that he likes to have four strikers in his squad. The Welshman's current options are League One golden boot winner Alfie May, Miles Leaburn, Daniel Kanu and Chuks Aneke. Connor Wickham was not offered fresh terms once his short-term deal expired at the end of the season.

Leaburn and Aneke both missed large parts of this season through injury, so it is not a huge surprise to see Charlton being linked with another forward option.

However, they do have strikers within their ranks who could step up and save the club money to spend in other areas.

Miles Leaburn

Leaburn is one of the most exciting strikers in League One, with his physical presence, ability on the ball and natural instinct in front of goal making him a real handful for defenders in the division.

If he can stay fit throughout the 2024/25 season, there is no doubt that he will be one of Jones' main forward options.

At just 20 years of age, he has already scored 20 goals for the Addicks, and has attracted interest from Premier League clubs including Aston Villa, Brentford and Chelsea since he broke into the first-team at the start of the 2022/23 campaign.

Jones is renowned for improving players on the training ground, so if he can spend some time with a fully-fit Leaburn, then he could become an even better player for the Addicks.

An unnamed Bundesliga club had a bid of more than £3m rejected for Leaburn last summer, so focusing on his development and giving him plenty of game time should pay off for Charlton, whether it is on the pitch or financially.

Daniel Kanu

Kanu spent some time on loan at National League club Southend United during the first half of the 2023/24 season, and it turned out to be the perfect move for the young striker.

He scored four goals in one game in a 5-0 win against Solihull Moors, and returned to The Valley with the club in need of another striker due to their injury problems.

The forward scored six goals in 30 League One appearances for Charlton this season, with his hard work, energy, and runs in behind endearing him to the supporters.

Kanu, who made his debut for Sierra Leone in November, penned a new contract until 2027 in February, just a few days after Jones' arrival at the club.

His performances this season will surely have convinced Jones that he should be in the first-team picture next season.

Patrick Casey

18-year-old striker Patrick Casey is one of the most exciting players in Charlton's esteemed academy. The agile youngster made his League One debut from the bench in a 2-1 defeat at home against Oxford United in January.

The Republic of Ireland youth international signed his first professional contract last summer, keeping him at The Valley until 2026, after scoring 42 goals in the 2022/23 season for Charlton's youth teams.

He continued his prolific form this season, scoring 44 goals and building a formidable partnership with Micah Mbick.

It remains to be seen whether Casey gets more involvement with the first-team next season, but his goal-scoring record suggests that Charlton could turn to the striker if they need to.

Micah Mbick

Mbick made five appearances for Charlton's first-team this season, and scored on his debut in a 6-1 victory over Cray Valley Paper Mills in the first-round of the FA Cup.

The 17-year-old striker signed his first professional contract last year, and matched Casey's 44-goal haul over the course of the campaign.

The striker is a different profile of player compared to Casey, with his physical prowess and finishing ability making him a real prospect.

In Leaburn, Kanu, Casey and Mbick, Charlton have four talented young strikers who could all thrive under Jones in the coming years, save money on new signings, and potentially command substantial transfer fees in the future.

However, Charlton's manager will not underestimate the importance of experience. Considering Aneke's injury problems over the last couple of seasons, it seems likely that the Addicks will bring in at least one new striker to add to their existing first-team options.