Charlton Athletic Warded Off Interest From Germany For Star Attacker

Charlton Athletic fended off interest from numerous clubs in the Championship as well as a team in Germany for teenage starlet Miles Leaburn, according to the South London Press.

Leaburn broke through the Charlton ranks last season and managed an impressive 13 goals in all competitions in his debut campaign, including 12 in League One despite the team’s struggles on the pitch.

The 19-year-old’s skill and promising start to life in professional football piqued the curiosity of clubs in England’s second division as well as Germany, but the teenager will remain at the Valley until at least January, as the transfer window closed last Friday.

An anonymous German team launched three proposals, but all three were rejected by Charlton Athletic, who were determined to keep Leaburn.

Dobson and Blackett-Taylor bids

The SLP also claimed that AFC Wrexham made an approach for captain George Dobson, while Derby County made a proposal for winger Corey Blackett-Taylor, but both were rejected by the Addicks.

Dobson and Blackett-Taylor are in the final year of their contracts, which means Charlton risk losing them for free next summer if they refuse to sign new terms.

Leaburn suffered an injury in pre-season and has been worked back into the starting lineup over the past week, playing only 45 minutes in the EFL Trophy defeat to Crawley Town. Leaburn had a goal and an assist during his brief appearance before being substituted.

Given Leaburn’s talent, keeping hold of him was critical to the Addicks’ aspirations of turning their season around and making a push for promotion.

It was also critical to keep both Dobson and Blackett-Taylor, but Charlton Athletic now risk losing both men for free next summer, which might backfire.