Nathan Jones can laugh at Southampton’s Tonda Eckert after Charlton Athletic transfer call | OneFootball

Nathan Jones and Charlton Athletic can laugh at Southampton's Tonda Eckert in time after a bold transfer call over Micah Mbick...

Nathan Jones knows Southampton better than most, having endured a miserable 95-day spell there before rebuilding his reputation at Charlton Athletic. His side are potentially laughing at the Saints and Tonda Eckert over Micah Mbick.In the end, Nathan Jones was sacked after winning just one of eight Premier League matches, but his fortunes have changed dramatically since joining Charlton Athletic. His current side have started the 2026/27 Championship campaign considerably better than Southampton.

They sit sixth after five games, while the Saints have already dropped points in their last two matches. Southampton’s £7 million interest in Micah Mbick therefore presented Jones with another chance to get one over on his former club.

Why Charlton rejected Southampton’s Micah Mbick offer

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Southampton’s interest in Mbick made considerable sense given their striking situation. The 19-year-old is capable of operating through the middle and would have offered Tonda Eckert another young forward option, with the Saints ultimately making a late offer worth around £7 million for the Charlton youngster.

Charlton Live's Tash Everitt has confirmed that Charltonhave turned down a substantial offer but that bid was rejected, with Charlton clearly unwilling to cash in despite the sizeable fee. Mbick has featured this season, but only started the Carabao Cup defeat to Tottenham and appeared from the bench in most of Charlton’s other Championship games.

He has played just 50 league minutes so far. Yet that may actually strengthen Charlton’s argument, as they are not selling a finished product, but a teenager whose ceiling could be considerably higher than the offer received. The Athletic reported that Charlton previously rejected Brighton & Hove Albion bids worth up to £3.5 million, highlighting their belief in his long-term value.

Micah Mbick has plenty of potential to fulfil with Charlton

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The Southampton targetis an intriguing forward because he is not restricted to one position. He can operate as a striker, from the right flank, or as an attacking midfielder. That gives him useful versatility as his game develops, which is why Mbick could be worth far more to Charlton in time.

The Charlton academy graduate made his senior debut in 2023 and scored within minutes of coming off the bench against Cray Valley Paper Mills in the FA Cup. He later featured in the 2025 League One play-off final victory over Leyton Orient. His biggest breakthrough, though, came during his loan at Colchester United last season.

It was there that he scored nine goals and notched two assists in 25 appearances across all competitions. Speaking to South London Sport in April, Colchester boss Danny Cowley even backed him to become a top Championshipstriker, such was the quality he displayed during his temporary stint with the club.

Southampton have missed an opportunity with Micah Mbick

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There is an argument that Jones will be quietly laughing at Southampton's situation, because the Saints could have solved one of their problems by signing Mbick. They allowed Damion Downs to return to the United States on loan, Ross Stewart's contract expired, and Cameron Archer departed on loan to join up with Will Still.

It leaves their recognised centre-forward options particularly thin. Divin Mubama subsequently arrived on loan, while Cyle Larin remains the other senior striker option, meaning both need to stay fit until January. Mbick would not have been a guaranteed starter, but his versatility and enormous potential could have given Eckert another option in the Southamptonforward line.

Instead, Southampton made a sizeable offer and still could not prise him away. For Charlton, retaining a 19-year-old with a contract through to 2028 could ultimately prove to be far more valuable than accepting £7 million now. That said, Jones and co. need to start utilising him more frequently in the Championshipfrom here on out.