"Really smart" - Charlton Athletic urged to seal deal for ex-Luton Town star | OneFootball

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Charlton Athletic are heading into the first transfer window under the management of Nathan Jones.

Jones arrived at the Valley just after the January transfer window had closed, so he had to take charge of the second half of the season with a team that wasn’t his.

This summer will be a chance for Jones to shape his squad into how he wants to play going forward, as the 51-year-old has been tasked with getting the club back into the Championship.

The 2023/24 season was overall a disappointing campaign for the Addicks, so there is hope the 2024/25 season can be much better with Jones at the helm.

It seems the Charlton boss is already looking to get ahead of the other teams in the transfer window, as he is eyeing a reunion with Luton Town midfielder Luke Berry.

According to journalist Darren Witcoop, Berry has attracted a lot of transfer interest after his release from the Hatters, with Charlton and Oxford United the most interested.

Charlton Athletic fan pundit backs potential signing of Luke Berry

Luke Berry was with Luton for seven seasons, as he joined the club in 2017 from Cambridge United.

Now at 31, he finds himself without a club, but it seems that it won’t last for long, as Charlton Athletic and Oxford United are eyeing a potential deal.

Here, we asked FLW’s Charlton fan pundit Ben Fleming for his thoughts on the Addicks being linked with a move for Berry.

He told FLW: “Yeah, I think Luke Berry would be a really good signing.

“I think anyone who played 17 games in the Premier League last season could probably make a decent contribution at League One level for us.

“So yeah, I think, especially with George Dobson departing, and I know they are not exactly similar players, but his experience or various experience could be really, really useful in the middle of that park.

“So yeah, I don’t see why he wouldn’t be someone, if we can match his wages, someone who has obviously come up the divisions. He isn’t someone who has been in the Premier League all of his career and then will be dropping down and not know how the lower league’s work, that demand and the playing style and the physicality.

“He is someone that has come up the division with Luton and obviously understands what is needed to succeed in the Football League.

“So yeah, I think it would be a really smart addition if we can pull it off. I think it’s not going to be a long-term contract, maybe two, three years, but it gives him a chance to keep playing and he can offer some good experience.

“We have got Karoy Anderson and Terry Taylor, guys like that who are coming through and a bit younger, so to have someone of his experience, especially when we have got Dobson leaving, probably Scott Fraser leaving. I think it will be really valuable.”

Luke Berry would be a good addition for Charlton

There will be big pressure on Nathan Jones to succeed at Charlton next season, as the club has brought him in, given his experience with promotion.

So, the 51-year-old will be keen to make sure he has the foundations there to succeed, and that may mean he relies on a few former players.

Luke Berry has enjoyed a successful time at Luton, and now, with his career at the other end, he will be looking for a club where he is going to play as much football as he can.

Jones would probably love to make him a part of his team, as he knows what he can bring to the table, and he will be an added addition, given that George Dobson has left, and he can help fill the experience missing in the middle of the pitch.