Charlton Athletic aiming to strike at least one transfer deal while away at Malaga training camp
richard@slpmedia.co.ukCharlton Athletic manager Lee Bowyer is hoping to bring in up to two players before his squad return from a training camp in Spain.
The Addicks made a double swoop at the end of last week to secure Bristol Rovers captain Tom Lockyer and Milton Keynes striker Chuks Aneke.
Both men were free agents at the start of this month and have signed two-year deals.
Charlton are in Malaga until Saturday.
Bowyer said: “We’re trying to work on bringing in at least one more in, it may be two, while we are away.
“Steve Gallen [head of recruitment] is out here constantly working and we’ll be looking to fly a couple out if we can. That would be the perfect scenario but, as always, it is tough.
“We’ve got to be careful with people we bring in that they are right for the group.”
Bowyer says that centre-back Lockyer, 24, had other Championship interest.
“We know that he spoke to two other sides and he chose us,” said Bowyer. “Myself and Steve met him a couple of weeks ago and he liked what he heard.
“From that I hear his mind was made up as soon as he walked out of the room but still out of courtesy he listened to the others. He knew this was the right place to learn and play.
“We knew we were losing Pat [Bauer[ and so Tom was the perfect replacement. We like to play from the back and he’s a good player. He is a leader and a winner.
“All the players we’re trying to bring in are players who want to prove themselves in this league.
“Tom is one of them. He is a Welsh international and defends properly, putting his body on the line.
“I think he’s the best centre-half we could have brought in to replace Pat.”
Aneke, 25, started as a youngster on Arsenal’s books and the former England U19 international scored 19 goals in 41 matches as Milton Keynes won promotion from League Two.
“Chuks brings something different,” said Bowyer. “He is a big boy and has got that physical presence that we’re going to need in this league. It is a very physical league.
“But he has got quality as well. He scores goals and gets assists. His awareness out of possession is good, so he is going to bring a lot on the other side of the game.
“He can play as a 10 and we’ve brought him in to really play in that position. But he can also play up top if we need him to. He’s got that bit of versatility, which is perfect.”
PHOTO BY CHARLTON ATHLETIC FC