Bolton Wanderers striker wanted by Watford and Stoke City
Bolton Wanderers could face a battle to keep hold of the forward between now and the end of the transfer window amid interest from the Championship.
Charles, 27, is a key player for the Trotters up top and scored 21 goals in all competitions last season to help them get into the League One play-offs. However, they lost at the semi-finals stage over two legs to Barnsley.
According to TEAMtalk, both Watford and Stoke are admirers of him and are among a ‘number’ of second tier sides considering a swoop for him over the next few weeks before the deadline on 1st September.
Keeping hold of Charles is crucial to Bolton’s hopes of gaining promotion this term and they need to ensure that they can fend off competition from elsewhere. However, if the price is right then it would be hard to stand in the way.
Ian Evatt’s side signed the Preston-born man back in 2022 and he has since scored 31 goals in 79 games in all competitions, two of which have already come in this campaign. He remains under contract until June 2025 meaning his current club are under no pressure to cash in on him just yet.
Charles had spells as a youngster at Blackpool, AFC Fylde, Fleetwood Town and Southport before joining Accrington Stanley in 2019, He was prolific during his time under John Coleman and found the net on 30 occasions before carrying on his goal scoring exploits after his switch to Bolton.
Both Watford and Stoke are dreaming of promotion to the Premier League and could see the Northern Ireland international as someone that would bolster their striking options.
Charles has established himself as one of the best strikers in the English Football League after impressing at Accrington Stanley and now Bolton. He scored 21 goals in all competitions for Bolton last season, with 16 of those strikes coming in League One.`
Charles’ electric form helped Bolton reach the League One play-offs, and he added to his tally in the semi-final first leg against Barnsley. However, Bolton lost 2-1 to Barnsley over two legs.
Charles got off the mark for the new campaign with two goals in the 3-0 win over Cheltenham on Saturday. Amid his flurry of goals, it is no surprise that clubs higher up the football pyramid are keeping tabs on him.
Watford have made signing a new No.9 a top priority before the close of the summer transfer window and TEAMtalk has been told Charles features on their list of targets. But the Hornets are not the only side interested in the Northern Ireland international.
TEAMtalk understands Stoke are also admirers of Charles. Stoke boss Alex Neil is aiming to bring in a new striker after the sale of Jacob Brown to Luton Town and he views Charles as a perfect solution.
Bolton are keen to keep hold of Charles, who still has two years left to run on his contract with the club. However, they are bracing themselves for bids from the likes of Stoke and Watford as the interest in their star attacker ramps up.
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