Charlton Athletic should consider Birmingham City transfer raid - it may prove controversial with supporters | OneFootball

Charlton Athletic could make a move for Alfie May's services to boost their frontline

Birmingham City are preparing to take the Championship by storm next summer following their record-breaking League One promotion campaign.

The Blues are reportedly keen to add a number of high-profile additions as they bolster their squad, with the likes of Demarai Gray and Tommy Doyle thought to be on their way to St. Andrew’s this summer.

Former Celtic attacker Kyogo Furuhashi is also reportedly closing in on a move to Birmingham, which would be a real statement signing for Chris Davies’ side.

That said, it could cast doubt over the future of some of Blues’ current stars in attack, namely Alfie May, who arrived in the Midlands last summer, and he may see his minutes reduced this coming season.

Alfie May’s future could be outside of Birmingham City – Charlton Athletic should capitalise

Alfie May joined Birmingham last summer from Charlton Athletic for a fee of £775,000, and he enjoyed a successful debut campaign at St. Andrew’s overall, netting 16 times and providing eight assists in 44 League One appearances.

However, he only started 27 of these games, and with the club now in a more competitive division, concerns are sure to form over the striker’s potential playing time next term.

With Furuhashi looking likely to join and £15 million signing Jay Stansfield amongst the Blues’ ranks, it becomes harder to see when May could lead the line for Birmingham.

At 31 years of age, he would be the obvious player to dispose of if Davies decides that supply has begun to overwhelm demand in his striker department.

Therefore, Charlton Athletic should pounce on the opportunity, even after the rumoured arrival of Stockport County's Isaac Olaofe.

May enjoyed a sensational 2023/24 campaign at The Valley, scoring 27 times in all competitions for the Addicks. This prompted Blues to make a play for his services, ultimately signing him on a three-year contract last summer, with the attacking assassin handing in a transfer request to force an exit through, with a desire to move further up north for family reasons.

With Nathan Jones’ side also now back in the second-tier, returning to familiar surroundings may seriously appeal to May if his time at Birmingham comes to an end, although those family reasons may need to be worked around.

Alfie May could prove his Championship credentials at Charlton Athletic next season - but fans may take some persuading

May could unfortunately become a victim of Birmingham City’s record-breaking success, as his performances wouldn’t warrant a sale at many other clubs in the EFL.

However, under their ambitious ownership group led by Tom Wagner, the Second City outfit have made it clear that they will stop at nothing to achieve footballing glory.

Although unproven at the Championship level, May has proven to be a deadly operator in League One for a number of years and has rightly earned the opportunity to show what he can do in the second-tier.

Charlton need goals as they aim to remain in the division next season and don’t enjoy the same wealth of attackers that Birmingham do.

Therefore, they could take advantage of the situation and secure May’s services once more.

Matty Godden scored 18 goals for the Addicks last term and will likely be selected to lead the line by Jones next season.

Apart from that however, they don’t have many Championship-proven sources of goals throughout the rest of the squad - the imminent arrival of Olaofe is exciting but he is unproven at the level, whilst Tyreece Campbell isn't an out-and-out striker - Miles Leaburn has questions to answer too due to his injury issues.

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Birmingham’s project might have already bypassed May, as they aim to achieve their Premier League ambitions next year.

However, a return to Charlton under another manager hungry for success could be May’s best bet for the future, as he looks to establish himself in the second-tier - but it may take some convincing of the Charlton fanbase if the striker was to return.

Given the fact he forced an exit through in the form of a transfer request last summer, it may leave a bitter taste in some mouths if May was to return to south London this summer, although it is only hypothetical right now.

You get the feeling though that May would fit in perfectly to Nathan Jones' 3-5-2 formation, and despite the fact he's never played at Championship level, the experienced striker may fit better next season at The Valley than at Birmingham.