Charlton Athletic face clear hurdle in transfer race involving Stoke City, Millwall | OneFootball

There is an obvious factor that is going to make it difficult for Charlton Athletic to attract the right-back

Charlton Athletic are part of a four-team chase for Hull City full-back Cody Drameh.

That’s according to a Sky Sports News report from journalist Lyall Thomas, who confirmed that there is “uncertainty” over the player’s future.

The 24-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at the MKM Stadium and has not played a minute of senior football for Hull since the end of November.

Based on that, the path appears clear for the Addicks, but there is a crucial factor that makes the signing unlikely.

One key factor that may prevent Charlton Athletic signing Cody Drameh

According to the Sky Sports report, Drameh is open to moving away in January to secure more minutes, and Hull are also willing to negotiate, with 18 months remaining on his deal, and him clearly not featuring high in Sergej Jakirovic’s plans as things stand.

However, all of Stoke City, Preston North End and Millwall are also said to be eyeing a move for Drameh.

That could cause particular problems for Charlton, who currently find themselves in 20th place, just five points clear of the drop zone and looking likely to be dragged into a relegation battle at some point in the season.

Conversely, the three other interested parties find themselves in or around the play-off places, looking to bolster their squad ahead of a promotion challenge.

For a player, that is a much more enticing prospect than potentially adding a relegation to their CV, which may also bring the added stress of having to find a new club in a matter of months.

Unique selling point also taken away from Charlton Athletic

Sometimes, London clubs can bypass such worries, providing the opportunity to move to the English capital, with all the attractive trappings that city life comes with for well-paid players.

That’s only boosted by the fact that Drameh is a Londoner himself, growing up in the Fulham academy before a move to Leeds United.

However, any advantage this may usually provide Charlton with is dashed by the presence of Millwall, who are just under six miles away from the Valley, also nestled in the capital.

Given that the Lions are currently in fifth place, just 11 points off Coventry City at the top, if it’s a straight shootout between the two London clubs, it looks a difficult battle for Charlton to win.

Charlton Athletic will have to pull out all the stops if they want Drameh

Consequently, then, Charlton are going to have to produce an attractive pitch to Drameh to convince him the Addicks is the best place for him.

That could mean assurances over playing time, which is the primary reason for the transfer, and also some form of financial encouragement, whether that be in terms of his weekly wage, the safety of a long-term contract or clauses to protect him if Charlton are relegated.

According to Capology, Drameh is estimated to be earning £9,000 per week under his current deal. The same site has Thomas Kaminski as Charlton’s top earner on £20,000, with £10,000-£15,000 a more common rate at the Valley.

That means that a significant pay rise for Drameh would see him move into that higher bracket of the Addicks’ wage structure, a commitment the club will need to be sure of before they make it.

There is no saying Charlton can’t pull it off, but the other interested clubs make Drameh a difficult target for the Addicks.