Charlton Athletic: Any Miles Leaburn and Thierry Small transfer advances must be snubbed | OneFootball

Charlton Athletic need to keep hold of their promising youngsters this summer.

Highlights

Charlton Athletic have had a busy summer so far as they prepare for their fifth consecutive season in League One.

The Addicks have brought in seven new signings so far during this transfer window, as manager Nathan Jones shapes the squad ahead of his first full season in charge at The Valley.

Charlton are currently at a training camp in Slovenia, after their first pre-season friendly against Dartford gave supporters the opportunity to see the likes of Luke Berry, Matty Godden and Gassan Ahadme for the first time since they joined the club.

Striker Alfie May, who won the Golden Boot in League One last season, has been sold to Birmingham City for £775,000, so Charlton must ensure that no more key players are sold before the opening day fixture against Wigan Athletic on the 10th of August.

Unlike on occasions in the past, Charlton have tied down a few of their promising young players on long-term contracts. Karoy Anderson, Daniel Kanu and Nathan Asiimwe all signed new deals last season as the Addicks made an effort to secure the futures of their high-potential players.

The Addicks must ensure that none of their other promising youngsters are sold this summer as they look to improve on the disappointment of last season during the 2024/25 campaign.

Miles Leaburn

Charlton striker Miles Leaburn is a player who has attracted plenty of interest from Premier League clubs so far in his career, including Chelsea, Brentford and Aston Villa. An unnamed German club also had a bid in the region of £3m rejected last summer.

The 20-year-old made 13 appearances in League One last term as the Addicks finished 16th, although he had an injury which ruled him out for a large part of the season.

He has scored 20 goals in 58 appearances for Charlton, and even though his contract is due to expire next summer, the Addicks should look to keep hold of him if any offers come in during this transfer window.

A fully fit Leaburn could be crucial in the Addicks fulfilling their ambitions next season, and if they do win promotion, there will be a chance that he renews his deal.

Now feels like the wrong time for the South Londoners to sell.

Thierry Small

Teenage wing-back Thierry Small impressed for the Addicks during the second half of last season after joining the club in February, following the mutual termination of his contract at Southampton.

The club triggered a one-year extension to the short-term deal he signed when he arrived at the club, as well as offering a long-term deal on top of that, which Small has not yet signed.

Tottenham Hotspur were linked with a move for the 19-year-old earlier this summer, but it looks as though he will be staying put at The Valley for the 2024/25 campaign.

Despite his contract being due to expire next summer, Charlton should turn down any offers for Small during this transfer window. As a left wing-back, his pace, skilful dribbling and ability to get a cross in will be vital in Jones' system next term.

As is the case with Leaburn, if Charlton can win promotion to the Championship next season, then Small may sign a new deal. If the Addicks are going to have a successful season, they need to keep hold of their best players.