Charlton Athletic readying Sheffield Wednesday transfer raid | OneFootball

The Addicks want to add to what is already a resilient backline.

Charlton Athletic are reportedly weighing up a move for Sheffield Wednesday defender Akin Famewo.

Promotion to the Championship for the Addicks was built on their defensive utility.

Indeed it was central defender Macaulay Gillesphey's goal - a free-kick - in the play-off final that gave them the 1-0 lead over Leyton Orient that they never relinquished.

Nathan Jones' side conceded less than a goal a game in the 2024/25 campaign and will need to continue in a similar vein next season to give themselves the best chance of staying up. With that in mind, they are supposedly looking to add second-tier experience to their options at the back in the form of Wednesday's 26-year-old.

Charlton considering a move for Akin Famewo

According to The Star, Famewo is a transfer target for the London club this summer.

The centre-half, who has already played for Charlton in over two loan spells, has been offered a new deal by the Owls but is yet to make a decision on his future.

The same goes for the other two that the Hillsborough natives presented fresh terms to: Barry Bannan and Callum Paterson. The latter is also attracting second and third tier interest.

Injuries prevented Famewo, a left-footed defender, from playing as much last season. He picked up a problem with his thigh in October that kept him out until the end of March. Encouragingly for Charlton, in the 13 league contests that he did appear in, he started 11 times.

Because he is into the final month of his Wednesday deal, the 26-year-old is free to speak to other clubs, with The Star claiming that his soon-to-be free agent status will attract attention from more places than just The Valley.

Danny Rohl's side have already lost a lot of defensive options by their own doing. Ben Hamer, Ryo Hatsuse, Michael Ihiekwe, Marvin Johnson and Pol Valentin have all been released by the club, as have attacking options Stuart Armstrong and Mallik Wilks.

Charlton, Akin Famewo link-up makes a lot of sense

Famewo's performances when healthy certainly suggest that he'd be a strong pick-up for the Addicks. Rohl spoke highly of him when he was on the pitch, especially prior to his knock around Halloween. "It’s a big shame, he has been in a good way and very strong game by game," said the German manager after Famewo picked up his injury, via The Star.

That and his prior experience with the club make this a more than viable option for Famewo to consider, especially with the current chaos going on at Hillsborough. Some of the players, coaches and staff are still yet to receive their May salaries.