Charlton Athletic: £6m Huddersfield Town, Coventry City deal may leave Nathan Jones nervous: View | OneFootball

There could be a transfer domino effect involving Coventry, Huddersfield and Charlton this summer

It has been an encouraging start to the summer transfer window for those of a Charlton Athletic persuasion.

In what is their first spell in the window since the appointment of Nathan Jones as manager back in February, the Addicks have already made three first-team signings this summer.

Midfielder Luke Berry and goalkeeper Will Mannion have arrived on free transfers from Luton Town and Cambridge United.

Meanwhile, the Addicks have also signed left-back Josh Edwards from Dunfermline Athletic for an undisclosed fee.

However, they are also going to have to deal with the issue of interest in their own players this summer, and one who is already attracting attention, is Alfie May.

Charlton Athletic reject bid rival bid for Alfie May

Following his move from Cheltenham Town last summer, May enjoyed an excellent debut campaign with Charlton during the 2023/24 season.

In 50 appearances in all competitions, the striker scored a total of 27 goals for the Addicks, which saw him named as the club's Player of the Year.

That though, is already attracting starting to attract attention from elsewhere, with recent reports claiming that Huddersfield Town have already seen a bid for the 30-year-old rejected.

Now though, it could be argued that one piece of transfer business involving the Terriers that has already been completed, could be a concern for Jones as he aims to keep May at Charlton.

Huddersfield Town could have funds for Alfie May deal

Although their initial approach has been knocked back, it has been suggested that Huddersfield will make an improved bid for May in the near future.

They could now, also have the funds with which to do that. On Thursday, it was announced that Coventry City have completed the signing of attacking midfielder Jack Rudoni from the Terriers.

It has been reported that the Championship club paid Huddersfield an initial fee in the region of £6million for the signing of the 23-year-old.

Thanks to that fee they have received, the Terriers now have some significant funds available, that they may be able to reinvest in other signings this summer.

As a result, it may not be a huge surprise if they use at least some of that windfall from the sale of Rudoni on a new and improved bid for May.

If Huddersfield do that, then they could now be able to come up with a bid that is hard to for Charlton to turn down.

Indeed, there may well be pressure on the Addicks to sell for the right price this summer, given May is now entering the final year of his contract.

That of course, means they could be at risk of losing a key man for free this time next year, if they do not cash in on him now.

There is therefore, a risk that Charlton could be forced to sell here, which would be a major blow to Jones' side, given how important his goals were to them last season.

After May, their next highest goalscorer during the 2023/24 campaign was Corey Blackett-Taylor, who scored nine goals before leaving the club to join Derby County back in January.

Not only would the loss of May be a blow for the Addicks in terms of their own prospects, as they no doubt target promotion in Jones' first full season in charge, but this potential next destination would also be a worry.

With Huddersfield having been relegated from the Championship at the end of last season, they too will be aiming for promotion from League One in the coming campaign.

Consequently, if Charlton were to be forced to sell May due to an offer that is impossible to refuse from the Terriers this summer, they would be strengthening a direct rival for promotion.

That would be a particular concern, given the fact that Huddersfield have recently appointed Michael Duff as their new manager.

Given it was while playing under Duff at Cheltenham that May first found the prolific form that now makes him so sought after, there is a concern that if he was to make that move to the John Smith's Stadium, he could once again thrive to help fire the Terriers towards promotion.