Charlton Athletic boss Dean Holden: Size of this club is a powerful tool in transfer window negotiations

Charlton Athletic manager Dean Holden has confirmed there are moves afoot for summer signings.

The South London Press understands that a couple of deals are at an advanced stage.

The Addicks start pre-season training on Monday and have their first friendly at Welling United next weekend.

And Holden has revealed that one of his targets looks even more fired up for a switch to SE7 after the Charlton boss sent him an image of a packed Valley.

“There are bids in for players at the moment,” Holden told our paper. “I’m personally going out and speaking to them face to face. It’s really important to get a connection, to see what their ambitions are.

“I’ve just literally sent a picture this morning – someone had sent me one on social media of a full-house Valley where all the fans are holding up placards saying CAFC, it might’ve been the Doncaster play-off game – and the player is already sold.

“It’s powerful – what a big club this is. Getting off to a good start to the season is important to us.

“It’s always an exciting time for supporters to see who we are going to bring in. I’m very cautious of the type of player and person we look to bring in, that the fans can relate to.

“I’m getting messages on social media asking: ‘When are we signing?’ But we have to make sure these are the right players we bring in.

“They need to want to come in, improve and push this club into the next division.

“When you talk about the hard work that goes in, no-one really cares – they want to see the end result which is the player with the shirt and scarf.

“I am excited about some of the conversations I’ve had.”

PICTURE: KYLE ANDREWS