Charlton transfer chief hoping incoming business will help to tie down Blackett-Taylor and Dobson

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Andy Scott is hoping that Charlton Athletic’s business in the January transfer window can help persuade Corey Blackett-Taylor and George Dobson to sign new contracts.

The Addicks duo will both be free agents at the end of June and have been tabled fresh terms by the League One club.

Derby County were keen on Blackett-Taylor, 26, in the summer has 14 goal involvements this season – seven of those assists – and scored their leveller in last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Barnsley.

“We made an offer to Corey and they made it clear they are going to sit tight for a little bit and see what happens,” Charlton technical director Scott told the South London Press. “We are no closer to him signing a deal but also no closer to him leaving either.

“Corey has got a new agent since the summer and we’ve had some good discussions about his thoughts and plans for the future.

“He’s had a really good season. His raw pace, power and the fact he has added goals and assists to his game this season will entice teams in the league above and probably abroad as well.

“We’re anticipating some interest in him, definitely, but that doesn’t mean we are going to settle for losing him. We’ve got to see how it pans out and be prepared for every scenario.

“We have offered him a very good contract – a realistic contract. It is incentivised, the same as we do with all our player contracts.

“We are not going to break a wage structure that is out of the ordinary for League One because that is not where we want to be.

“We want players who want to play for the football club and give their all. Even with the negotiations we’ve got with Corey and his agent he’s shown he’s capable of going out on the pitch and giving everything for the shirt. That’s all you can ask for from a player, really.”

Dobson has been an ever-present starter in the league for Charlton in the current campaign,

The 26-year-old has made 121 appearances since arriving on a free transfer from Sunderland in July 2021.

“We have offered two contracts to George and had little back from his agent,” said Scott. “It seems like he’s going to go into the January window and see what options are out there.

“Everyone could see on Saturday how committed he is to the football club. The performance he put in was excellent again.

“We’ve got to make sure we’re not held to ransom by players and that we make the right decisions for the footbal club. Hopefully they see we are progressing forward.

“I think both players want to see what plans we’ve got for January and what targets we will bring in to help us.

“That will give them an indication of how ambitious we can be – that might help persuade them to sign their contracts.”

PICTURES: KYLE ANDREWS