Charlton boss Nathan Jones on Alfie May future – as Huddersfield pushing to complete deal for striker

Nathan Jones has emphasised that the priority is Charlton Athletic’s “best interests” in this summer transfer window – with the future of Alfie May remaining uncertain.

The striker, who turns 31 at the start of July, was a landslide winner of the Addicks’ Player of the Year award – voted for by the club’s fans – after netting 27 times in all competitions.

Charlton rejected a bid earlier this month from Huddersfield Town for May, who collected the League One Golden Boot with 23 goals last season.

But the Terriers, who sold former AFC Wimbledon youngster Jack Rudoni to Coventry City last week in a deal potentially worth up to £5million, have continued their attempts to strike a deal.

May was signed last summer from Cheltenham for £250,000.

Jones, appointed Addicks manager at the start of February, told the South London Press: “It’s a very difficult one with Alfie. He is our player and we love Alfie here, he is a fans’ favourite and scores goals for us.

“I don’t just want this to be just about Alfie. What we have to do with decisions on any player is think about what is in the best interests of the club. If keeping Alfie is the best thing for this football club then that is what will happen.

“If for any reason Alfie May leaves this football club then we must have players that will come into the squad that make this football club significantly better.

“I have no financial pressure, or any pressure from the board or the club in any way to do anything.

“That is why I have come here – to have that autonomy to make sound decisions for the football club, to be bold and to really ask the board to back that. And they have, to every level. We’re under no pressure. We’re a big football club, in terms of that.

“For what has been rumoured around Alfie, we’re not under any pressure to sell to another rival.”

Jones wants nine signings in the transfer window. He had said at the end of last season that he wanted the vast bulk of their activity done before the start of pre-season, which resumed yesterday.

Charlton have been looking to complete the free transfer signing of keeper Adam Davies, whose Sheffield United deal expires on July 1. Jones said: “We have got targets, but they are waiting for Championship interest. That’s why (there has been a delay).

“Our number one targets, we have pretty much got every one. We’ll hopefully get some more over the line next week. We’ll look at one or two players in pre-season as well.”

Jones has said there is a policy of “no dickheads, no passengers” in terms of his signings.

“Everyone that comes in has to really want to compete and get to the next level,” added the Welshman. “So they are not just seeing out their career and coming for a holiday or just go through the motions – that’s the passengers bit.

“And we don’t gamble on character. We like strong characters here. People that will test and test the environment? No problem.

“But anyone who doesn’t want to work hard or had issues in the past and is not entirely buying into what we want to do, we don’t do.”

PICTURE: KYLE ANDREWS