Lee Bowyer: Charlton Athletic is even more attractive to new owners – I can’t understand why it hasn’t happened yet

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Charlton Athletic boss Lee Bowyer reckons that takeover prospects can only be boosted by their return to the Championship.

The Addicks sealed a place back in English football’s second tier after a 2-1 victory over Sunderland at Wembley today.

Owner Roland Duchatelet has been looking to sell the club for more than 18 months – but his asking price has been a stumbling block.

Bowyer believes that now Charlton are only one promotion away from the Premier League it will draw out even more interest.

“You see how many fans were there today,” said the Addicks chief. “This is a great football club and I can’t understand why anyone hasn’t bought it – even before now.

“But now we’re in the Championship it is more attractive now.

“If I was looking to buy a football club – it’s in London, you’ve got the fanbase as you have seen today. There will be more people interested in it now. We’re one league away from the Premier League. Everyone knows the rewards you get there.”

Charlton’s squad strengthening could be significant. Patrick Bauer, Joe Aribo, Ben Reeves, Jonny Williams and Igor Vetokele are all out of contract. Josh Cullen, Krystian Bielik and Ben Purrington head back to their parent clubs.

“We have to rebuild – that was always going to be the case whether we were in League One or the Championship,” said Bowyer.

“But I think we’ve done a good job this season. The puzzle we put together – our recruitment – was very good. And we didn’t spend a penny either. We didn’t have millions to sign a striker. And we lost a striker. We lost Karlan [Grant]. He was our top goalscorer at the time.

“The lads were down a day or two, because he was an important player for us. But then it was a chance for someone else and we just adapted.

“Regarding building a squad, it is going to be tough because I don’t think we’re going to have much money.”