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Charlton Athletic are assembling a squad they hope can survive in the Championship next season after winning promotion via the play-offs.
With Sheffield Wednesday looking nailed on for relegation and Hull City also facing financial troubles after surviving by the skin of their teeth, there are teams in the second tier currently in a worse position than newly-promoted Charlton.
Nathan Jones committed his future to the Addicks after rejecting advances from Cardiff City, and now, the London side are completing some solid business in the transfer window.
Charlton have made seven new signings, including a raft of former Luton Town players, in the hope they can galvanise their survival push.
Their chances will certainly be helped by signing a clinical striker, with Jones close to landing someone who scored goals for fun in 2024/25.
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Charlton Athletic closing in on QPR striker Charlie Kelman
As reported by Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth, Charlton are close to finalising a deal for QPR striker Charlie Kelman.
Kelman fired Leyton Orient into the League One play-offs last term after joining on loan from the R’s, and now he looks set to join the Addicks on a permanent transfer.
MLS clubs were linked with Kelman, but it was always the 23-year-old’s preference to stay in England, finally getting his opportunity in the Championship.
The former USA under-20 star produced an impressive 27-goal haul for Orient in 2024/25 and was the main reason why they gatecrashed the play-offs.
To many, it is a surprise that QPR are willing to sell their goal machine to a Championship rival, although the centre-forward has failed to score in 23 matches in the second tier.
Admittedly, most of those appearances did come from the bench, but that isn’t the only concern Charlton should have over him.
Richie Wellens criticised Kelman for switching off in games
Throughout 2024/25, there was no doubt that Kelman earned his stripes as a clinical EFL goalscorer, someone capable of popping up with a goal at the perfect time.
Orient manager Richie Wellens, of course, rated his finishing instincts highly, lauding the incoming Charlton striker as ‘unbelievable’ in April.
However, Wellens was also critical of Kelman, stating that once ‘he lets things affect him’, he doesn’t have the ‘same performance levels’.
“I’m pleased for Charlie in the end, but his first half was nowhere near acceptable,” he said via the Irvine Times.
“He is a goalscorer, but the basics of run, fight and press were not there first half. They were two brilliant finishes and his winner was an absolute worldie and I am pleased for him. Second half he was excellent.
“I have said it many times, I love him to bits. There is an unbelievable talent in there. But as soon as he lets things affect him he does not have the same performance levels.”
Charlton fans will now know they’re getting a ruthless finisher of chances, but also someone who needs to work on not letting his emotions take over to become a better player.