Sheffield Wednesday & Leyton Orient eyeing £1.5m Charlton Athletic striker | OneFootball

Sheffield Wednesday and Leyton Orient are eyeing a transfer deal involving Charlton Athletic striker Tanto Olaofe

Charlton Athletic striker Tanto Oloafe has not enjoyed his move from Stockport County so far, but a return to League One could be on the cards via Sheffield Wednesday or Leyton Orient.

After scoring 34 goals in 99 games for Stockport County in 2023/24 and 2024/25 combined, Charlton Athletic swooped for the forward last summer in a £1.5 million deal. The Lewisham-born striker had played for Millwall in his youth and early career.

In the first half of 2025/26 in the Championship, Tanto Oloafe scored once in 25 appearances for Charlton. That prompted Stockport to come back in for him in January, with Dave Challinor securing the striker on loan for the remainder of the season. However, he bagged just one in 22 games on his return.

Sheffield Wednesday and Leyton Orient consider Tanto Olaofe deal

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Sheffield Wednesday have the likes of Will Grainger and George Brown as young strikers to supplement Jamal Lowe, but they also added firepower via the additions of Harry Gray and Mason Burstow on loan.

Meanwhile, Leyton Orient sold Dom Ballard to Bristol City, which is why they are eyeing more firepower. Orient look to be close to winning the race for Grimsby Town's Jaze Kabia but that hasn't stopped Richie Wellens from wanting more in attack ahead of the start of the League One campaign.

Journalist Darren Witcoop states Sheffield Wednesday are among the League One clubs to enquire about taking Olaofe on loan from Charlton. He claims Wednesday have other options they are also exploring.

He adds that Leyton Orient are also keen, along with a Scottish club as well. It's said that the club and player are weighing up options in the last month of the transfer window, whilst Charlton reporter Rich Cawley claims that Olaofe should have exited the club on loan by the end of the week.

Tanto Olaofe's career stats so far

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Modern centre-forwards are judged on far more than just goals, which is why Olaofe fits that mould. His pressing intensity, running power, general athleticism, and willingness to run the channels make him an excellent facilitator for those around him.

That sort of profile creates space for others, forcing mistakes, and helps his team win possession high up the pitch. Those qualities made him an ideal fit for Nathan Jones' high-intensity style at Charlton, where work rate without the ball is just as important as finishing chances.

However, that hasn't worked in the second tier. Olaofe has also shown that he can be a consistent goalscorer, particularly at League One level and below, where his physicality and pace can overwhelm defences more regularly.

As shown above, his combination of selfless running and genuine attacking threat explains why several third-tier clubs are likely to be monitoring his situation this summer. He would be an excellent addition for both Wednesday and Orient.

Mason Burstow and Tanto Olaofe could be a great pairing for Sheffield Wednesday

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While a move to Leyton Orient may offer Olaofe the comfort of remaining in London, Sheffield Wednesday arguably represent the more exciting footballing fit after their relegation from the Championship and with expectations so high at Hillsborough.

The Owls are assembling a squad capable of challenging for promotion immediately, and Olaofe's athleticism, pressing, and ability to stretch in behind could complement Mason Burstow superbly. One can attack space in behind, while the other benefits from the openings created, giving Wednesday a dynamic and energetic forward pairing.

That said, Orient would also be an appealing destination. Jaze Kabia's arrival could combine well with Olaofe's tireless work off the ball, creating a mobile, hard-working partnership capable of unsettling even the meanest of League One backlines. Either move has merit, but Wednesday may offer the greater platform to thrive.