Charlton Athletic backed to strike Southampton deal - one issue may prove a problem though | OneFootball

FLW's Addicks fan pundit wants to see a permanent deal explored for James Bree this January

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

James Bree is starting to find form under Nathan Jones once more, as the on-loan Southampton man is lighting up The Valley for Charlton Athletic.

Bree joined the club this summer on a short-term loan deal, and after a couple of years where he couldn't get regular game time at St Mary's, the right-back has flourished in southeast London.

Jones bought the 27-year-old when he was at Luton Town, then again when he became Southampton boss, and after scoring two and assisting three in 11 Championship games at Charlton, many Addicks fans are calling for him to be brought in permanently by their manager for a third time after his loan concludes in January.

It may be difficult, as Bree could command a large wage given his Premier League past, but with less than a year left on his deal, Southampton may be willing to sell, and FLW's Charlton fan pundit, Chris Woodward, believes that the right-back is too good to let go.

Charlton Athletic fan pundit waxes lyrical about James Bree and expresses wishes for a permanant deal

When asked who the Addicks should be targetting in the upcoming winter transfer window, Woodward said that "it's impossible to look past James Bree.

"It may be a difficult deal to get done, as his wages could make him the first or second highest earner at the club, but given his relationship with Nathan Jones, the fact he's obviously enjoying his football here, and with his contract at Southampton expiring this summer, it's not out of the realm of possibilty."

Having spent £750,000 to bring Bree to St Mary's from Luton in January 2023, this winter seems like the final opportunity to make some of that transfer fee back for Southampton, as with just 50 appearances in two and a half years, it doesn't seem likely that the right-back will be receiving a new deal at his parent club.

It's evident that the 27-year-old plays his best football under Nathan Jones, and his performances this season have exceeded both Woodward and the rest of the Addicks' fans' expectations.

"Bree has been a revelation since he came to the club, and there were some questions raised when he first came in, as Rob Apter had just won player of the month in his role," the fan pundit continued.

"He's shown why Nathan Jones has brought him to three different clubs, however, contributing to five goals in just 11 games this season and also being responsible for the corner which led to our late equaliser against Hull City.

"He's the best set piece taker we've seen at the club in years, and Nathan Jones has even compared him to the likes of James Ward-Prowse."

A comparrison to Ward-Prowse is flattering, but Woodward has possibly gone one step further, naming Bree as one of the best in his position this season, with only Milan van Ewijk of Coventry City performing better.

Because of that, regardless of what it may take, the Charlton fan wants the club to bring the right-back in on a permanant deal this January.

"He may not be the most glamorous of footballers, but he's so effective at both ends of the pitch, and he has the physicality and work rate that Jones adores," he said.

"It's not wrong to say that he's been the second-best right-back in the league this season, behind van Ewijk.

"It may take a lot of fighting to get it done permanently, but if there's an opportunity, I think we'll take that chance."

James Bree's estimated wage may not be as big of a hurdle for Charlton Athletic this January

Woodward stated that the big issue that may surround a permanent sale being made this January for Bree to Charlton would be his wage demands. However, the right-back's estimated current wage, per Capology, isn't as large as once thought.

Bree is currently estimated to be on £10,000 per week, which would place him fifth in the Charlton squad. It places him amongst the highest earners, but it doesn't exactly break the bank.

If the right-back has been as important to how Charlton have operated this season as Woodward says he has, it seems a no-brainer to pay him that much in January if a deal is sanctioned with Southampton.

Plus, given Bree's relationship with Jones, he may even be willing to take a pay cut to sign permanantly at The Valley to continue his rich vein of form.

So, Charlton clearly have the upper hand when it comes to a possible sale in a couple of months, and if the Addicks want to continue their unlikely surge towards the play-offs, they'd be smart to make it happen.