Charlton boss Lee Bowyer answered numerous questions on the future of Karlan Grant in his pre-Peterborough press conference this morning.
The 21-year-old, who has netted 14 goals this season, has been linked with a move away from the club to teams in the Premier League, Scottish Premier League and Championship.
When asked if he thought Grant would go, Bowyer responded: “It’s a possibility, I’m a realist and I have to be honest. Of course there is a possibility, he’s a good player. He’s a young player scoring goals. Like I said last week, he’s brought attention to himself and rightly so. He’s improved a lot in a short space of time, so of course there is going to be clubs looking at him.
“I hope he doesn’t go, I’ve said that to him on more than one occasion so we’ll see what happens. Hopefully he is still here on February 1st.”
With strike partner Lyle Taylor suspended for three games, Grant’s potential departure would leave the Addicks without their top two goalscorers. Bowyer said: “With Lyle it’s unfortunate with the timing regarding the window and people interested in Karlan. It would hurt us our two strikers, who have got nearly 30 goals between them, might not be playing. Then it would be down to us to try and bring in bodies to replace Karlan if he was to go but I’m confident that he’ll stay.
“There is no reason for him to leave now. Why not go and score another 14/15 goals before the end of the season and see what type of move you can get then."
Bowyer has hailed the professionalism of his young striker since the transfer rumours have appeared. He said: “Obviously there was speculation last week and the most recent day in training, Tuesday, he was very, very good. He’s a professional and he knows I would never let him or anybody drop off their standards because you have got people just waiting to come in. That’s in every position. No-one is bigger than the team so he has to produce every day, that’ not just on matchday but in training and on Tuesday he was excellent."
Lee Bowyer's press conference from today is available on Valley Pass. A half-season pass costs just £30 while a monthly pass is £6.50. Click here to sign-up.
