Why Armand Gnanduillet could be a top signing for Charlton Athletic

According to a report from London News Online, Charlton Athletic could revive their interest in Armand Gnanduillet in the January transfer window after a deal for the Blackpool striker fell through at the end of the summer transfer window deadline.

Armand Gnanduillet, 27, is currently thriving at League One club Blackpool and has scored 10 goals so far this season in the league. Having already made 20 appearances across all competitions this season, it is safe to say that the French-born Ivorian is very much a mainstay in Simon Grayson’s starting eleven.

His current contract at Bloomfield Road is set to expire in the summer, so the Tangerines woud be better off letting him go in January for a fee rather than lose him for free in 2020.

The report adds that Gnanduillet’s future could be tied in with Lyle Taylor, who could be eyed by Brentford in January 2020.

Charlton Athletic have not won in their last 5 league games and find themselves placed 13th in the table. They have enjoyed a decent return to Championship football, although manager Lee Bowyer is currently carrying the burden of an injury-ravaged squad at the club after several of his key men picked up long-term injuries in the first part of the season.

Despite various injury problems, the Addicks seek to pick up results as games start to come thick and fast. Come what may, Bowyer definitely needs to take a dip in the winter transfer window if his team are to sneak into the play-offs.

Having key players Jonny Williams and Lyle Taylor currently on the sidelines, Charlton would do a good job to bring in a new striker in the mid-season trading period.

That’s why the signing of Armand Gnanduillet would make sense. The frontman has gone on to find the back of the net on 12 occasions in 20 appearances spread across all competitions for Blackpool, underlining his status as one of the best strikers in the bottom two divisions of the English Football League.

The Angers-born star would provide Bowyer with a more physical presence up front, with his 6ft 4in frame.

He would give the Addicks a plan B and his talent should get the fans excited at The Valley. All in all, Gnanduillet could go on to wreak havoc in the Championship if he can reproduce the form that he has shown at Blackpool in recent months.

Verdict

With Charlton in need of a prolific goalscorer, Gnanduillet could turn out to be a shrewd signing, provided he hits the ground running.