Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones is plotting a raid on his former club Southampton to try and sign right-back James Bree, who is out of contract in the summer transfer window, according to Sports Boom.
Bree has spent periods in and out of the Southampton side in recent years, and was even sent out on loan to Charlton, under their current manager Jones.
Bree joined Charlton in September at the beginning of the season, but he returned to the Saints in January, and he’s become an important player for the south coast club.
The 28-year-old has now racked up 10 appearances in the Championship for the Saints this season, while also playing 21 games for Charlton in the first half of the campaign.
Now, Bree could be on his way back to The Valley in the summer window.
Nathan Jones Plotting Southampton Raid
According to a report from Sports Boom, Jones and Charlton are ‘desperate’ to bring Southampton right-back Bree back to The Valley in the summer transfer window.
The former Luton Town defender is out of contract later this year, and a host of clubs are showing an interest in signing him on a free transfer, but Charlton are hopeful that they are leading the race due to Bree playing for them earlier this season.
The Saints are considering offering him a new contract before his deal expires in the summer, which is no surprise given he’s played a key role in the second half of the campaign.
If Bree, described as ‘outstanding’, is going to be able for nothing this summer, then it wouldn’t be a surprise if the majority of the Championship were considering a move to secure his signature.
Since Tonda Eckert arrived through the door at Southampton, Bree has become a key player for them in the Championship.
The 28-year-old wasn’t in Will Still’s plans, hence being sent out on loan, but Eckert clearly sees the value in the experienced right-back, who has racked up plenty of games at this level.
Even if it’s just as a squad player for next season, it would be silly for Southampton not to extend his stay but at least a year, so a new deal being put on the table feels likely.
Whether Bree wants to remain is unclear, but it might depend on what league they are playing in, with the Saints pushing to finish in the playoffs.
Discussion about this post