Charlton Athletic offer new deals to three players – with Igor Vetokele, Ben Reeves and Josh Parker release
BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk
Charlton Athletic have offered new contracts to Joe Aribo, Pat Bauer and Jake Forster-Caskey – but have released Igor Vetokele, Ben Reeves and Josh Parker.
The Addicks have not offered a deal to Jonny Williams – who is also a free agent at the end of June – but say they would be ready to do so if he does not get more lucrative offers elsewhere.
Tariqe Fosu has been tabled new terms, but that is set to just ensure that Charlton get compensation if he moves elsewhere.
Aribo and Bauer have both been the subject of heavy interest from other clubs. Preston North End, Blackburn and Rangers are interested in Bauer, who scored the winner at Wembley to take Charlton into the Championship.
Krystian Bielik, Josh Cullen and Ben Purrington have all returned to their parent clubs.
Charlton manager Lee Bowyer told the club’s official website: “They are all different reasons as to why we haven’t offered those lads contracts. Obviously they’ve played a massive part in last season and that was probably the hardest part of any discussion I’ve had since being in charge.
“We were all on a high and then the next day we came into work and it’s then saying that we’re going to be letting them go. It was a horrible situation but that’s part of the game unfortunately. Some people stay, some people go, that happens at every football club every season. It’s never personal. It’s what we felt what we need going forward and they weren’t part of the plan but those lads were great last season for me, so all I can say is that I wish them all the best.”