Charlton Athletic must consider Huddersfield Town sale if League One rivals return: View | OneFootball

Huddersfield Town are interested in Charlton Athletic striker Alfie May.

Highlights

Charlton Athletic must consider the latest financial developments at Huddersfield Town during any negotiations for Alfie May.

Huddersfield Town are reportedly keen on Charlton Athletic striker Alfie May, who won the golden boot in League One last season with 23 goals.

The forward arrived at The Valley last summer from Cheltenham Town after scoring at least 20 goals in both of his seasons in League One with the Robins.

He continued his goal-scoring form this season in SE7, scoring over a third of the goals that the Addicks scored in League One. However, there has been speculation surrounding his future recently amid interest from the Terriers.

Huddersfield are interested in May

New Huddersfield boss Michael Duff replaced Andre Breitenreiter following the club's relegation to League One last season. He has already signed wing-back Lasse Sorensen from Lincoln City, who was one of the best in his position in the third tier last season.

Duff used to manage Cheltenham, and worked with May when the Robins were promoted from League Two in 2021. The duo were also at Cheltenham together in their first season after promotion, during which the striker scored 23 goals.

Huddersfield have had a bid for May rejected already this summer and are expected to return with an improved offer, as they attempt to reunite Duff and May at The John Smith's Stadium.

Charlton must consider Huddersfield's finances

If Charlton are going to sell May to Huddersfield this summer, they must ensure that they get the best deal possible.

The Terriers recently sold midfielder Jack Rudoni to Coventry City in a multi-million-pound deal, adding a significant amount of money to their already strong League One budget.

The Addicks should take Huddersfield's spending power into consideration in their valuation of May, especially considering that Duff could be willing to pay slightly over the odds for a player he knows can score goals on a regular basis in his system.

May still has a year left on his contract, and Charlton have an option to extend it by a further year, so they are under no pressure to sell unless the finances are right and they can bring in a suitable replacement.

Charlton need enough striking options next season

Charlton must ensure that they have enough strikers in the squad going into next season before they agree to sell May.

Miles Leaburn and Chuks Aneke both missed large parts of the 2023/24 season through injury, so Charlton cannot afford to rely on them both to be available for the duration of next season.

The Addicks are interested in a move for Ipswich Town striker Gassan Ahadme, according to the East Anglian Daily Times. That would mean that May, Aneke, Leaburn, Daniel Kanu and Ahadme are Charlton's senior strikers going into the 2024/25 campaign.

If May leaves the club, the Addicks would need to sign another striker on top of Ahadme to cover for Aneke and Leaburn's injury problems.

Realistically, it should take a really good offer for Charlton to sell the top goalscorer in League One. Huddersfield are one of the clubs in the third tier who have the capacity to make an acceptable offer, so it will be interesting to see how it plays out as the summer transfer window continues.