Charlton join race for United's Danny Graham
Last updated at 13:39, Thursday, 08 January 2009
CHAMPIONSHIP crisis club Charlton Athletic today emerged as serious contenders for Carlisle United’s sought-after striker Danny Graham.
The Addicks, who are five points adrift of safety at the bottom of the second tier, have identified the Blues’ 13-goal hitman as a key transfer window target.
The South London club have joined Huddersfield, Swansea, Preston, Barnsley and Dundee United in the chase for United’s number nine, who is out of contract in the summer.
Huddersfield this week tabled an unsuccessful £250,000 offer for Graham, which falls well below the Cumbrians’ valuation of their prized asset.
That remains the only concrete bid to have been submitted so far.
But Charlton’s new manager Phil Parkinson – the man who signed Michael Bridges from Carlisle for Hull in 2006 – is desperate for a goalscorer to fire his side towards safety.
And it is understood the Valley outfit are monitoring developments closely as the chase hots up for the 23-year-old poacher.
Chief executive David Allen today reiterated yesterday’s claim that Graham would not be allowed to leave Brunton Park on the cheap.
“There are more clubs interested in Danny Graham, but he is a good asset to the club,” he said.
“And if we were forced to sell him, the price would be quite considerably more than what is being talked about at the moment.”
The fact Charlton have entered the race for Graham could have implications on Carlisle’s rumoured interest in out-of-favour Addicks striker Chris Dickson.
Boss Greg Abbott is said to be tracking the transfer-listed Dickson, who could conceivably be offered in a part-exchange deal by the Londoners.
Abbott has refused to comment on links with the Ghana international or any other Blues transfer target, as he prepares for Carlisle’s League One showdown with Leeds at Elland Road on Saturday.
But Parkinson recently revealed that several League One clubs had made enquiries for 23-year-old Dickson. “We’re looking for a good fee for Chris should he move on,” he said. “But at the moment all I’ve received are offers from Division One clubs wanting to take him on loan but nothing permanent.”
Allen insisted the Blues were keen to bolster their squad before the window closes at the end of the month. “We have been very disappointed with the position we have found ourselves in in the league, and Greg and the board want to strengthen,” he said.
“But we won’t comment on the specific players we are looking at.”
HUDDERSFIELD chief executive Nigel Clibbens has refused to be drawn on their pursuit of Graham.
He told the Terriers’ official website: “In relation to the recent story regarding Danny Graham, the club will be making no comment.
“We will not be carrying out our business through the media during January or at any other time.”
First published at 12:26, Thursday, 08 January 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk
Talk about putting someone in the shop window. We must keep our best players!!
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Like with Westwood and Garner he will leave for far less than what he is worth.
Posted by Annoyed blue on 9 January 2009 at 10:46