Charlton Athletic ruled out of Ali Al-Hamadi race in boost for Luton Town and Cardiff City | OneFootball

The Addicks had been linked with a move for the Iraq international.

Luton Town and Cardiff City have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Ipswich Town striker Ali Al-Hamadi as Nathan Jones has ruled Charlton Athletic out of the race.

The Addicks had been linked with a move for the 23-year-old alongside Luton and Cardiff, as per TEAMtalk, with Ipswich Town prepared to offload the striker before the end of the summer transfer window.

Al-Hamadi has been pushed down the pecking order at Portman Road following the recent arrival of Chuba Akpom on loan from Ajax, and with Ivan Azon also set to join Ipswich on loan from Como.

Charlton out of Ali Al-Hamadi race

However, despite the report linking Charlton with a move for the Iraq international, Nathan Jones has confirmed that there is nothing in those rumours, as per Rich Cawley via South London Sport: Charlton Athletic Edition.

Charlton boss Nathan Jones discussed the report linking the Addicks with a move for Al-Hamadi during an interview ahead of his side's trip to Bristol City this weekend.

Cawley asked the Welshman whether he was looking to sign another striker amid the link to the 23-year-old.

"I'm usually one to say you can never have enough strikers, but if we were to embark on another one then I think we would have too many strikers," Jones said.

"There is no truth in that."

Charlton signed Charlie Kelman and Tanto Olaofe from Queens Park Rangers and Stockport County respectively this summer, while they also tied Miles Leaburn down to a new three-year contract.

The Addicks also have Matty Godden, Tyreece Campbell, Daniel Kanu, Kaheim Dixon and Micah Mbick as attacking options in their current squad, while Gassan Ahadme joined League One side Stevenage on loan yesterday.

Therefore, it is no real surprise that Jones is not looking to add another centre-forward to his ranks. In fact, Charlton want to send a couple of players out on loan before the transfer window closes, as per Cawley's report.

"We have a strong squad," Jones said.

"Now it is about streamlining certain things - one or two going out to get football - and then we'll be ready to batten down the hatches."

Kanu, Dixon and Mbick could all be candidates to be sent out on loan in the coming weeks, as Jones finalises his striking department at least until January.

One thing is for sure - Charlton will not be signing Al-Hamadi from Ipswich.

Luton or Cardiff could capitalise on Ali Al-Hamadi update

Having been relegated from the Championship last season, Luton and Cardiff may have been behind Charlton in the race for Al-Hamadi, with the Addicks being the only second-tier side in the race, according to TEAMtalk.

However, now that Jones has distanced himself from making a move for the 23-year-old, Luton or Cardiff could capitalise on the situation.

Both the Hatters and the Bluebirds should be in the League One promotion race this season, and having Al-Hamadi in the squad could add something different in the final third for Matt Bloomfield or Brian Barry-Murphy.

Al-Hamadi featured 11 times in the Premier League last season, and has scored six goals in the Championship since the start of 2024, so he could be a good option for Luton or Cardiff in the third tier.