Exclusive: Charlton Athletic submit late enquiry for Derby County winger Joe Ward | OneFootball

The Addicks are looking to make a late move for the 30-year-old

Charlton Athletic have launched a late transfer window enquiry to Derby County over the possibility of signing winger Joe Ward, Football League World can exclusively reveal.

The Addicks and the Rams have been among the Championship's most active clubs across the summer transfer window, and both remain in the hunt for further acquisitions as Monday night's 7PM cut-off point for business draws ever closer.

Charlton have made a steady start to life back in the second-tier under the management of the vastly-experienced Nathan Jones, with the South London side accruing a total of four points from as many games heading into the international break, whilst Derby remain one point behind their divisional rivals as John Eustace searches for his first win of the league campaign despite a plethora of statement and big-money signings at Pride Park.

Ward could be one of those to depart the DE24 outfit as they look to make great strides of progress in their manager's first full season, although his time in the Championship could be far from over.

The experienced wide player initially made a name for himself with Peterborough United during an era in which the Cambridgeshire side became one of League One's most dominant clubs, with Ward making 233 appearances for Posh, including an immediate relegation campaign from the Championship back in 2021/22.

Capable of featuring as a defensive or attacking-minded right-sided performer, the Chelmsford-born man moved to the East Midlands as a free agent in the summer of 2023 on a three-year contract, with said deal set to expire next summer.

Given his previous pedigree, it was expected that Ward would become an influential member of Paul Warne's side as Derby earned promotion back to the Championship in May 2024, as well as aiming to reconsolidate after a handful of previously troublesome and bleak campaigns.

However, the 30-year-old has made just 38 appearances in the past two campaigns, scoring three times and posting as many assists. With Derby also bolstering the departments in which Ward predominantly features in, it has pushed the experienced campaigner further down the pecking order, and Football League World understands this has alerted Charlton to the situation, and they have submitted an enquiry about the winger's services.

Charlton Athletic, Derby County and Joe Ward would all benefit from late transfer agreement

At present, Jones is rather short of depth in the right-wing department behind summer recruit Rob Apter, who netted his first goal for the club in Saturday's 3-1 defeat in the 'London Derby' away to Queens Park Rangers.

Ward would also provide further depth if required in a deeper position, although that would seem rather unlikely with Charlton able to call upon the likes of Kayne Ramsay, Joe Rankin-Costello and Reece Burke in that regard.

However, the Derby man is at an age where featuring week-in, week-out is a must, having started both of the Rams' EFL Cup encounters, which included a stunning free-kick in an eventual shootout victory over West Bromwich Albion, but left as a 'squad player' in the league, playing just 39 minutes against Coventry City and Bristol City.

It remains to be seen what Derby's stance over this enquiry from their divisional rivals is, especially after sanctioning the exit of Kane Wilson to MK Dons - a move which FLW also exclusively revealed. With Ward out-of-contract next June, it may not be a surprise to supporters if a switch to The Valley is agreed.