Charlton Athletic boss Lee Bowyer on talk of permanent deal for West Ham midfielder

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Charlton Athletic manager Lee Bowyer has admitted he would be keen on a permanent deal for Josh Cullen – but that wages could be an issue in landing the West Ham youngster on a permanent basis.

The 22-year-old midfielder is on loan with the Addicks and his contract is due to run out next summer.

Cullen has made five League One starts for Charlton since signing at the end of August and also chipped in with two assists.

“Obviously if they were interested in selling him then we would be interested in taking him,” said Bowyer.

“He has definitely improved us. He is a very good player, for sure.”

The question is whether Charlton owner Roland Duchatelet would push financially to make any potential deal more of a reality.

The Belgian has slashed back the budget right across the board at the SE7 club – claiming that losses need to come under control to make a takeover look more attractive to interested parties.

Bowyer was only able to move in the free agent and loan market in the summer. Asked about whether he believed funds would be released for Cullen, Bowyer responded: “I don’t really know but all I can say is the owner, in the past, has said the young ones are assets.

“The problem we would probably have would be his wages. That could be a problem – we’ve got a budget. But maybe the owner or the new people, if they come in, might find it doable.”

Charlton are back in League One action on Saturday as they host Barnsley. The Addicks are 11th in the table after not playing at the weekend.