Charlton Athletic & Nathan Jones set to beat Luton Town to signing of 27-goal ace | OneFootball

Charlton Athletic are set to sign QPR striker Charlie Kelman.

Championship new boys Charlton Athletic are reportedly set to win the race to sign Queens Park Rangers striker Charlie Kelman, who finished last season as the top goalscorer in League One.

Kelman smashed in 27 goals in all competitions on loan at Leyton Orient last season, including 23 in League One, helping Leyton Orient to the play-off final, where they were beaten by Charlton for a place in the Championship.

Now, it seems Nathan Jones is set to bring the QPR star to The Valley for their return to the second tier, as Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth has revealed the Addicks are close to finalising a deal to bring the striker to southeast London.

Charlton Athletic set to win race for QPR's Charlie Kelman

The future of Kelman at Loftus Road has been a topic of interest that's rumbled on all summer, with plenty of Championship clubs showing an interest in the striker in the early days of the window, yet nothing materialised.

However, clubs continued to target the League One top scorer, with League One outfit Luton Town making a bid to sign the American in recent days. But, it seems his destination is now all-but confirmed in Saturday's update.

Kelman is now set to leave QPR in favour of a move to London rivals and Championship newcomers Charlton, according to Sky Sports' Dharmesh Sheth via X, with a deal 'close to being finalised'.

Nathan Jones has already been busy this summer as he prepares to guide the Addicks to safety in the Championship return, and is now set to pull off a huge coup by landing one of the most sought-after forwards in the EFL.

Kelman signing is a massive statement of intent from Charlton Athletic

Charlton came on leaps and bounds in the second half of last season's League One campaign, making a charge for the play-offs and going on to seal a return to the second tier of English football with victory at Wembley, after Jones worked his magic once again.

The Championship is a different kettle of fish though, and even the Welshman hinted in the post-game press conference at Wembley that the Addicks would need to add quality reinforcements before the season kicks off on August 9th.

So far, the London club have made plenty of excellent additions, such as Tanto Olaofe, Rob Apter, and Joe Rankin-Costello, but their latest addition in Kelman will likely be the statement of the summer for the former Luton boss.

Winning the race for the 23-year-old is not only a huge coup currently for Charlton now, but in a few years, if he continues his goalscoring form, they could receive a tasty profit if a club at a higher level comes knocking.

Whilst Kelman has never proven himself at Championship level, the form he displayed in League One last season could be the confidence boost he needs to finally kick on in the second tier.