Charlton transfer chief Gallen: We want permanent deal for Norwich defender Akin Famewo

Steve Gallen has revealed that Charlton had wanted to sign Akin Famewo on a permanent basis – and that is still the case despite the Norwich City defender initially heading back to SE7 on loan.

The Addicks have an option in the deal to make the 22-year-old’s stay a full-time one.

And director of football Gallen had been in talks over signing Famewo before the 2020-21 League One season ended.

“We wanted to sign Akin on a permanent,” he told Charlton’s website. “For whatever reason, that hasn’t happened yet. It’s a loan that we can turn into a permanent, if everyone agrees to it.

“That’s something I’d like to do. I’ve made it clear to Akin, his representatives and Norwich that we want to sign him on a permanent. Just yet we haven’t been able to do that. The most important thing for the team and the club is we have got Akin in to get him fit and we have got him to start the season with us.

“He’s a good player – a left-footed centre-back, there are not lots to choose from. He’s young, hungry, he’s quick, not bad on the ball and not bad in the air. There are things he needs to improve, he is only a young man. Hopefully he can do that with us and move forward with us.”

Gallen has made it clear that he is making sure all incoming deals keep them within their spending plan.

“There are lot of players available and there are a lot who want a massive salary – they all think Charlton are just going to splash a lot of money,” he added. “We’re not going to do that. We’re going to take our time and we’re going to do it right.

“I try and spend our money just like it’s my own. If we blow all our money on two or three at the start, we might not have the money for the two or three we need right at the end.”