Charlton Athletic told to make 'exciting' £0 transfer swoop for Spanish star | OneFootball

FLW's Charlton Athletic fan pundit believes former Levante midfielder Pablo Martinez would be a strong signing for the Addicks this summer.

It is an important summer for Charlton Athletic after they narrowly avoided relegation in their first season back in the Championship.

Charlton made a strong start to life in the Championship last season, sitting as high as fifth in late October, but a decline in form in the second half of the campaign saw them slide down the table, with Nathan Jones' men eventually finishing in 19th place, just six points clear of the relegation zone.

Nathan Jones issues confident Charlton Athetic transfer claim

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As Charlton look to build on last season's survival, they have brought in five new signings so far this summer, with Danny McNamara, Ivan Mesik, Billy Koumetio, Millenic Alli and Karlan Grant all arriving at The Valley.

However, the likes of Macaulay Gillesphey, Alex Mitchell, Terry Taylor, Karoy Anderson and Luke Berry have departed, and it is still unclear whether Lyndon Dykes will sign a new contract, so the Addicks will need to add further depth and quality to their squad in the remaining month of the transfer window.

Speaking last week, Jones insisted that Charlton were in a "decent place" after their early summer business, and while he admitted that more new arrivals will be required, particularly in the attacking areas, he expressed confidence that he will have landed all of his transfer targets by the start of the new Championship season.

Charlton Athletic urged to sign ex-Levante midfielder Pablo Martinez

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When asked which player he would love to see the club sign this summer, FLW's Charlton Athletic fan pundit Chris Woodward claimed that the Addicks should make a move for free agent midfielder Pablo Martinez, who was recently released by Spanish side Levante.

Martinez scored 12 goals and provided 18 assists in 155 games during a seven-year spell at Levante, including netting one goal and registering five assists in 29 appearances last season to help his side avoid relegation in their first year back in La Liga.

The 28-year-old also captained Levante for the last three seasons, but they decided against offering him a new contract this summer, and Chris believes that the Addicks should attempt to bring him to The Valley.

"I think Charlton should try to explore the European market considering how much EFL players cost to buy nowadays and how we don't tend to like to use the loan market as well," Chris told FLW.

"During research, a player that stood out to me was a midfielder called Pablo Martinez, who was previously at Levante.

"Martinez has racked up 45 appearances in the Spanish top flight, with 27 coming last season, and he has over 150 appearances in the Spanish second tier, so he's played at a very competitive standard.

"At 28, he is in his prime years and has captained Levante, so he seems to have good leadership qualities.

"Financially, he would be a free transfer and was on a reported £17,000-a-week, which should be within Charlton's budget.

"Charlton desperately need a midfielder with technical quality.

"Martinez is not only a set piece taker, which would be very useful considering Nathan Jones' admiration of set pieces, but he also managed five assists in La Liga last season, finishing in the top 15% of midfielders for assists, chances created, big chances created and successful crosses per 90.

"That was for a bottom end side as well, which shows got the on the ball ability we need.

"It's a gamble bringing in players from abroad, but as far as risks go, I think this could be a very under the radar, exciting signing."

Pablo Martinez could provide Charlton Athletic with fresh transfer blueprint

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Having spent his entire career in his native Spain so far, it is unclear whether Martinez would be open to the possibility of a move to England, and he may be keen to remain in one of Europe's top flight leagues after featuring regularly in La Liga last season.

However, even if Martinez does not make the move to The Valley, Charlton may need to expand their scouting network and consider signing more players from abroad if they are to thrive in the Championship in the coming years.

The Addicks have largely recruited from the domestic market under Jones, which has proven to be a successful strategy overall, but with plenty of talent plying their trade overseas, the south-east London outfit could benefit from casting their net a little further.