Charlton Athletic: Potential Huddersfield Town, Alfie May deal could haunt Nathan Jones – View | OneFootball

League One Golden Boot winner Alfie May was a bright spot in a disappointing 2023-24 campaign for Charlton Athletic.

Despite the best efforts of their star forward, the Addicks slumped to an uninspiring 16th-place finish under Nathan Jones.

Jones, appointed in February as Michael Appleton’s successor, was unable to provide cause for optimism through the back end of the season, as Charlton failed to win any of their final four league games.

Thankfully for May, his side's dismal form has not been catching. For the third consecutive season, the striker smashed the 20-goal mark and routinely tormented opposition defences.

In April, the energetic attacker was voted as the EFL’s player of the year. Jones would have felt conflicted as his top talent received this accolade: this season May has put himself in the shop window, but Jones has benefited from his sky-high confidence.

Charlton would have expected to see signs of interest, so Huddersfield Town’s bid for their star man would have been no surprise.

With new manager Michael Duff at the helm, the Terriers will be eyeing an instant return to the Championship next campaign. According to journalist Pete O’Rourke, Huddersfield set about bolstering their attacking ranks for next season by chasing the signing of Charlton’s prize asset.

Duff worked with May before his move to become Barnsley's boss in 2022. In reuniting the pair, Huddersfield would weaken one of their Championship rivals, boost their goal threat, and add arguably the best player in the division to their strong squad.

While the Yorkshire side have had their initial bid for May turned down by Charlton, an increased offer is set to be tabled soon. Jones will be watching the transfer saga develop from behind the sofa, praying that the club resist Huddersfield’s advances.

If May is to leave Charlton this summer, his Huddersfield move could haunt Jones for some time.

May's departure could be disastrous for Charlton

May would leave a near-impossible goalscoring void to fill at Charlton Athletic this summer if Huddersfield get their wish and sign their key transfer target.

By netting 23 times for the Addicks, the attacker was accountable for more than 35 percent of Charlton’s goals last season. Following the side's uninspiring end of the campaign, it would be especially hard for Jones to recruit a new top-class forward.

At the moment, there is not an attacker of May’s calibre available for signing. The pint-sized striker has been praised for his elusive dribbling, composed finishing, and expert link-up play.

When Charlton signed May from Cheltenham last summer for £250,000, they could have hardly dreamt of a more lucrative return on their investment. He has been exceptional for the Addicks and, with one year left on his contract, he may be hoping to make a step-up in class.

It is hard to believe that he will push for a move to Huddersfield, despite his familiarity with Duff. His prospective transfer to the Terriers might feel like a bit of a sidestep, and after his stellar season, he deserves interest from the Championship.

Charlton have endured a tough season with May, and it is hard to see how they could take a step forward next term without their top marksman.

Strike partner 19-year-old Daniel Kanu has been the main beneficiary of May’s unselfish attacking play. The Sierra Leone international scored six goals for the Addicks across his 20 League One starts.

While Kanu could be a major threat for Charlton in the future, he might be forced to carry the club’s goalscoring burden, along with Miles Leaburn, next season.

Jones will still need to find a foil for the young forwards if May is to depart, to take some of the pressure off such young shoulders.

Nathan Jones' stay at Charlton could be impacted by May move

Although Jones struggled to galvanise his Charlton team into a top-half finish. He steadied the ship and pulled the club away from the dreaded drop zone.

After dropping down to League One following his unsuccessful stint at Southampton, he will be hoping for more than mid-table mediocrity next time around.

When Charlton appointed the 51-year-old in February, his long-term signing seemed like a major coup for the club. Jones may have had a tough time on the South Coast, but his managerial ability did not disappear overnight.

He has an excellent track record of overachieving with clubs on a shoestring budget. With the proper financial backing, he seemed like the best option to mastermind the Addicks' return to the Championship.

However, with interest in his best player building, his job could be thrown into jeopardy. He will likely begin next season with a weaker squad at his disposal, and if the club make a poor start to the campaign, he could be one of the first managers on the chopping block by autumn.

Jones will be desperate for the club to resist interest in his chief goal threat, but with Huddersfield set to push for his star man, he might be resigned to another tough year in the dugout.