Will ESI takeover help keep Lyle Taylor? Charlton boss Lee Bowyer gives his verdict

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Lee Bowyer reckons East Street Investment’s takeover can only help in keeping hold of Lyle Taylor.

The Charlton Athletic striker is out of contract at the end of June and was the subject of multiple bids from Brentford towards the end of the summer transfer window.

ESI have agreed to purchase the South London club off of Roland Duchatelet. The final hurdle is getting EFL approval.

ESI have privately indicated that their first matter of business is to secure boss Bowyer on a long-term contract. And then they will look to do the same with Taylor, who has been a huge success since signing from AFC Wimbledon.

When asked how much the ownership change will affect Taylor’s situation, Bowyer said: “It’s gonna help.

“Lyle loves playing under me. He wants me to be secure and now I’m going to be there for time.

“If the club put me on a proper contract then I can’t see why Lyle wouldn’t sign, that’s just from his words to me.

“I believe in what he says, I know he loves playing for the club and he is desperate to be back playing now.

“He is a fans’ favourite and that suits him so I can’t see why we couldn’t get that over the line.

“We all have to be sensible, hopefully they can kill two birds with one stone.”