Charlton must prepare to sanction £0 Luton arrival in case of Lyndon Dykes bombshell | OneFootball

Charlton Athletic should consider a move for Jacob Brown this summer in case Lyndon Dykes rejects his contract extension

Charlton Athletic have retained their place in the Championship for another year, but Nathan Jones likely won't be content with just merely survival next time around, as the Welsh boss targets big strides at The Valley.

When Nathan Jones took charge of Charlton in February 2024, the club was languishing in League One, showing few indications of fighting for promotion.

However, in his first full year in charge, the former Luton Town, Southampton, and Stoke City boss guided the East London outfit into the play-offs, where they would defeat Wycombe Wanderers in the semi-finals and emerge victorious in the final against Leyton Orient, booking their place back in the second tier for the 2025/26 campaign.

The Addicks didn't hold back in the transfer market, bringing in the likes of Charlie Kelman, Rob Apter, Thomas Kaminski, Tanto Olaofe, and Harvey Knibbs for a not-insubstantial amount of money by their standards, with the hopes that they could take them to the next level.

Unfortunately for Jones, neither Kelman nor Olaofe had the desired impact, with the latter loaned back to Stockport County in January, as Miles Leaburn struggled to find his goalscoring touch in the second tier, whilst Matt Godden spent time on the sidelines injured.

Lyndon Dykes joined from Birmingham City on a short-term contract as the January window rolled around, with the Scot becoming a key figure in Jones' attack in the second half of the season, and although a fresh deal has been proposed by the Addicks, he has yet to sign, as the Welsh boss may be forced to turn his attentions elsewhere.

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Dykes, 30, joined Charlton in the January window from Birmingham, and in just six months at The Valley, he managed to match his goal tally (3) that he accomplished in 18 months at St Andrews in less than half the number of games.

The Scot, who is currently representing his nation at the World Cup in North America, competing for game time alongside the likes of Ross Stewart, Lawrence Shankland, Che Adams, and George Hirst, offered Jones a focal point and ample second-tier experience upon his arrival.

Although a fresh deal at The Valley is there to sign for Dykes, both Millwall and Leicester City are also interested in his services, as the striker weighs up all of his options before making a decision.

With his Charlton future in doubt, Jones must be considering alternatives, and could do a lot worse than Dykes' compatriot Jacob Brown.

Brown, 28, has had an unfortunate time with injuries over recent years, but has previously displayed his ability in the second tier during his spell with Stoke.

Having come through the ranks at Barnsley, Brown joined the Potters in the summer of 2020, and during his three-year stay in North Staffordshire, managed to score 30 goals and grab eight assists across 141 appearances in all competitions, playing a myriad of roles from right wing-back to centre-forward.

Up front is his most natural, and in truth, best position, and his performances for Stoke saw Luton bring him to Kenilworth Road in the summer of 2023 following their promotion to the Premier League.

However, the Scot would struggle with injuries during his spell with the Hatters, making just 60 appearances in three years for the club, and spending the final six months of his contract out on loan with Championship side Portsmouth before his release this summer.

His £30k per week wages, as estimated by Capology, are likely a huge factor in Luton being keen to shift him off their books, and less so his ability as a player.

Brown will likely be aware that he will struggle to receive similar wages elsewhere and will be prepared to take a hit on his salary as he searches for a new club this summer.

With over 200 Championship appearances, two years younger, and costing the same fee, Brown would be an excellent alternative for Dykes up top for Charlton, and Jones must consider a move for the former Barnsley forward if a move for the Scot doesn't materialise.

Nathan Jones must prepare for the possibility of Lyndon Dykes' rejection with Jacob Brown in mind

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With both Millwall and Leicester circling, Charlton's chances of re-signing Dykes have taken a big hit.

There is still a possibility that the Scot pledges his future to the Addicks after an excellent six months with the club, but with that yet to be confirmed, Jones must be ready for the scenario where Dykes rejects their offer.

Charlton are not one of the wealthiest outfits in the second tier by any stretch of the imagination, and when an interesting free transfer opportunity arrives, they must consider it.

Brown is no different in this sense, and is a player Jones absolutely must have on his shortlist in the event Dykes drops a bombshell.