Charlton Athletic keen on signing Watford player in final week of transfer window | OneFootball

Charlton Athletic have been very active in the January transfer window, and they look like they want to continue to do deals before the window closes.

The Addicks have already signed seven players this window, including two Premier League loanees in the form of West Ham United's Conor Coventry and Manchester City's Lewis Fiorini, and they reportedly are looking to further bolster their defence by bringing in a Championship player.

Charlton interested in signing Watford defender

The Addicks are said to be interested in signing Watford full-back Jeremy Ngakia, as per the South London Press' Sports Editor Richard Cawley.

The 23-year-old has started 10 of the 12 league games that he has played for the Hornets this season and could now be heading out of the Hertfordshire outfit for more regular minutes at The Valley.

Ngakia did actually start the current campaign in the Hornets starting 11 under Valerien Ismael, and he also received a run of starts between September and November, which ended due to the fact he suffered an ankle injury.

The ex-West Ham man, who left the Hammers in 2020 to join Watford, has been on the sidelines since but is now closing on a return to action.

That may not be for his current club though due to the fact that younger right-back Ryan Andrews is impressing in that role, and that could leave Ngakia on the sidelines.

Charlton though, who are currently managerless following the sacking of Michael Appleton earlier in the week, are keen to add Ngakia to their right-back and wing-back options for the remainder of the season at the very least.

Currently, Charlton have Tennai Watson in that area of the pitch who has been starting week in, week out on a regular basis, with teenager Nathan Asiimwe as a deputy.

But Ngakia would add some much-needed experience from a higher level if Charlton were able to secure his signature, and it is unclear as to whether the Addicks are seeking a loan deal or a permanent one, with his deal at Watford expiring in the summer.

Ngakia would be ambitious signing for Charlton if they can do a deal

Once upon a time, Ngakia was highly-rated as a teenager at West Ham after coming through into the first-team, but wanting more opportunities at senior level, he made the jump to Vicarage Road.

Sadly though, it's not entirely worked out at Watford for him, and by the second half of his first season at the club he was pretty much second choice to Kiko Femenia and his appearances in the last three years have only been here and there.

Injuries have also not helped the defender's cause as he missed large chunks of the 2022-23 campaign, and he's currently on the sidelines right now, which tells you the unfortunate luck that Ngakia has had to deal with.

With a contract that is expiring at the end of the season though and with there being no signs of a renewal just yet, Charlton may think that Ngakia is worth taking a cheaper punt on to see if they can get another level out of him.

The drop down to League One could revitalise Ngakia, and he cannot be written off at the age of 23 given his pedigree - it would be a good signing if the Addicks could get it done.