Charlton & Preston must consider swooping for free agent ex-Middlesbrough midfielder | OneFootball

Charlton Athletic and Preston North End should consider moves for free agent Alex Gilbert before the deadline

With the transfer window edging ever closer to slamming shut, there remain numerous free agents out on the market waiting to be picked up, and whilst unattached players can still join clubs after the deadline, teams will likely want to have their business wrapped up before then.

With just days remaining of the summer window, clubs across the EFL will be scrambling to get some last-minute business over the line, whilst doing everything in their power to retain their star assets.

The closure of the window does not necessarily mean business is over, however, as players that remain unattached to any clubs are free to join whoever they like beyond the deadline.

This includes Alex Gilbert, who has yet to find a new club following his release from Middlesbrough a couple of months ago, as now, according to Pete O'Rourke via X, numerous second-tier clubs are weighing up moves for the Irishman.

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Gilbert, 24, came through the ranks of West Bromwich Albion, but failed to make a single senior appearance for the Baggies, joining Brentford in 2020, where he would predominantly play in the Bees' B team.

An uneventful loan to Swindon Town during the first half of the 2021/22 season followed, as Middlesbrough would pay a compensation fee of around £1 million to bring the midfielder to Teesside in the summer of 2023.

However, like his spell with Brentford, Gilbert found his minutes at the Riverside limited, and having helped Charlton Athletic to the Championship in 2025 on loan, would be reintroduced to the Boro squad under Kim Hellberg after an injury crisis.

Despite this, his time in the starting XI wouldn't last, and after 47 appearances across all competitions for Middlesbrough, he would be released in the summer, as FLW takes a look at two clubs that ought to be in for his signature on a free transfer.

Charlton Athletic

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Charlton couldn't have dreamt of a better start to the Championship campaign.

Nathan Jones has done a superb job at The Valley, taking the Addicks from the depths of League One, stabilising them in the second tier, and now, the Southeast London outfit sit pretty at the top of the league after victories over Derby County, West Ham United, and Preston North End.

Charlton have been busy this summer, but have not spent a great deal, with each of Karlan Grant, Danny McNamara, and Nathaniel Chalobah joining on free transfers, whilst Arthur Okonkwo, Timothy Noor Ouma, and Tyler Bindon have arrived on loan, as only Ivan Mesik, Billy Koumetio, and Millenic Alli arrive for nominal fees.

Having added both Ouma and Chalobah to their midfield ranks, Charlton can now boast the likes of Conor Coventry, Harvey Knibbs, Greg Docherty, and Joe Rankin-Costello in that area too.

However, Knibbs appears unfancied, and Docherty hasn't been involved in many matchday squads as of late, so another addition in that area of the pitch isn't out of the realm of possibility, even if teenage prospect Alan Mwamba has been impressing in his cameos recently.

Sticking with their recent transfer strategy, Gilbert on a free transfer makes a lot of sense for the Addicks, especially with the Irishman having already enjoyed a brief loan spell at the Valley.

Gilbert made 12 League One appearances under Jones, 14 including the play-offs, predominantly as a substitute, but racked up four assists despite this.

Capable of operating anywhere across the middle of the park, Gilbert would be an excellent addition for Charlton as another versatile option, something Jones will value highly.

Preston North End

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Preston have begun the season in the polar opposite manner to Charlton, losing all three of their Championship games so far to Bolton Wanderers, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and the Addicks, whilst being dumped out of the League Cup in emphatic fashion to Everton.

Paul Heckingbottom, despite Preston splashing out a club-record fee for Alfie Devine, has been openly frustrated with his side's lack of business this summer, and with the window coming to a close, time is running out to get some important deals over the line.

Ben Whiteman's departure to Wrexham will have stung those at Deepdale, whilst Ali McCann's injury has led Heckingbottom to claim 'five new signings' are needed before the deadline.

This has left just Leo Leroy, Jordan Thompson, Andrew Moran, and Devine as the Lilywhites' only current senior options in the middle of the park, something they must be looking to remedy before the deadline.

With funds tight, it's likely loans and free transfers will remain the priority for North End, as Gilbert fits exactly into that strategy.

Heckingbottom tried to opt for a 4-2-3-1 shape at the beginning of the campaign, though reverted to a back five in their defeat to Charlton, as versatile midfielders will be a necessity for the club this campaign.

Gilbert, still only 24, would offer that in abundance, and has time on his side to improve and become a regular at Championship level, something he can do should he force his way into plans at Preston, who should be all over this deal after recent events.