Charlton Athletic can end transfer speculation by striking Wolves deal | OneFootball

The Addicks have been in the market for a right-back this summer.

Charlton Athletic could bring speculation around their pursuit of a right-back to an end if they opt to sign trialist Dexter Lembikisa.

The club's supporters are no doubt delighted with the transfer business that has taken place at The Valley so far this summer, but they will be keen to see a new right-back signed before their season opener against Watford, given that Nathan Jones is clearly keen to strengthen in that area of the pitch.

Charlton confirmed that Thierry Small would join Preston North End at the end of his contract back in June, which left a significant hole in the starting lineup that took the Addicks into the Championship via the play-offs last season.

Exciting winger Rob Apter was signed from Blackpool in a deal worth more than £2 million earlier this month, and he has featured on the right-hand side of the pitch already during pre-season, but it would be no surprise if Nathan Jones wants a slightly more defensive-minded wing-back available to him as well, given that his side could be on the back foot at times this season.

The Addicks had a bid worth £1 million for Hibernian defender Lewis Miller rejected a couple of weeks ago, before their offer to sign Japanese full-back Shinnosuke Fukuda on loan with an option to buy was also knocked back by J1 League side Kyoto Sanga.

However, right-back Dexter Lembikisa has been on trial with Charlton during their recent pre-season friendlies, so the Addicks could bring reports linking them with right-sided defenders to an end if they strike a deal with the 21-year-old's parent club, Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Wolves right-back Lembikisa on trial with Charlton

Despite having signed Rob Apter from Blackpool and brought in Joe Rankin-Costello, who has featured at right wing-back during his career, from Blackburn Rovers for a fee in the region of £750,000, Charlton seem intent on bringing in another new signing who can play in that position.

Lembikisa has been on trial with Charlton since their pre-season victory over Wealdstone on July 23rd, and he featured for the Addicks against Ipswich Town in midweek, so he may end up giving Jones another option at right wing-back if the Addicks agree a deal with Wolves.

The Jamaican international has experience of playing Championship football, having featured 25 times for Rotherham United during the first half of the 2023/24 campaign, and while he would provide Charlton with a slightly more natural defensive option compared to Apter, the highlight of his loan spell at the New York Stadium was a stunning goal against Norwich City.

Lembikisa has also had temporary spells in Scotland with Heart of Midlothian and in Switzerland with Yverdon Sport FC during his short career so far, and he was playing for Barnsley on loan when the Addicks beat them 1-0 at The Valley in March.

The Addicks have Kaheim Dixon, Karoy Anderson and Tyreece Campbell, who are all senior internationals for Jamaica, in their squad, so Lembikisa already knew a few Charlton players before his arrival, which might help him settle in quickly if Charlton decide to bring him in on a permanent basis.

Charlton have a decision to make with Lembikisa

With Lembikisa having featured in three friendlies for Charlton during pre-season so far, Nathan Jones will have a decision to make on the youngster's future over the next couple of weeks.

The 21-year-old has not stood out for the Addicks so far, but he may prove to be a good option to provide cover at right wing-back during the first half of the season, and could be seen as a player with long-term potential.

Charlton may be planning to wait until Shinnosuke Fukuda's contract at Kyoto Sanga comes to an end in January rather than paying his £800,000 release clause this summer, as he was on the Addicks' radar before Lembikisa was in the picture.

If the Addicks can agree a shrewd deal with Wolves for Lembikisa to provide Jones with another option at right-wing back, it would bring the speculation around their interest in right-sided defenders to an end for the time being, even if the club would no doubt prefer to land one of their other targets.