Delort rumours are probably false

Reports that Andy Delort will after all come to Charlton on loan probably have no real basis often than the speculations of journalists seeing the world through a post Christmas alcoholic haze.

Delort is certainly unhappy at Wigan where he feels that he has not been given enough opportunities. However, he wants to return to France and that does not mean a French-speaking dressing room in SE7. Indeed, Montpellier and Lens are said to be interested.

Elsewhere Neil Warnock has been sacked as Palace manager after they slipped into the relegation places: Warnock

The last three Palace managers have barely had time to build up their Nectar points as they have all lasted less than a year. A no doubt false Alan Curbishley account has tweeted 'Hey, Palace, I'm available!

Transfer day interest in Gomez

Unconfirmed reports state that Liverpool and Newcastle United are expressing transfer deadline day interest in Joe Gomez. The stated policy of Roland is to try and hold on to such promising players, but it can be difficult for a player to resist the blandishments of Premiership clubs. Both clubs are believed to offer luxury coaches for their development squads, and heated substitutes' benches.

I am so happy to be in Wigan

It has now been confirmed that Andy Delort is going to Wigan. The picture above shows him joyously celebrating the move.

The Sevenoaks Chronicle (which has suddenly become a font of wisdom on Charlton) is claiming that we may sign Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. This is a little more plausible than some stories as he is a free agent looking for a club and wouldn't cost too much. I do think that he has something left in the tank.

The one that got away

Charlton target Andy Delort has opted for the delights of Wigan pier. Charlton supremo Big Bob is disappointed that he failed to secure his signature as he was an 'interesting' player: Delort

It's always disappointing to lose out on a player to Championship rivals, particularly after such a long drawn out saga. However, I wouldn't blame Roland for refusing to pay over the odds.

Big Bob has not ruled out further signings before the transfer window closes, but emphasises that they would have to be good quality. I would have thought that any pod that was going to leave the mother ship that would have done so by now.

The signing of Bulot may allow Cousins to move into the centre where he is more effective and does not cramp Wiggins' style.

Will we get Delort after all?

I have never known a transfer saga as long and complex as this one, but it appears that Tours have not yet concluded a deal to sell Andy Delort to Wigan: Delort

What is more a rival club have made a larger bid of their own which includes the offer of an intriguing link up with the Tours training centre. Charlton would be in a position to make such an offer.

The Tours statement reads: 'There have been a number of rumours that suggest Andy Delort is going everywhere in Europe (Germany, England, Belgium, Spain, France…) since the beginning go the transfer window. The latest has been suggesting that he has found an agreement with English side Wigan. At the moment, not a single agreement has been found with this club, even if discussions are ongoing. Discussions are also underway with several other clubs. A more important offer has been made by another British side, one which includes a club partnership which is very interesting for the youth system at Tours. The window is not closed, and official informations will be communicated via the club’s official website.'

The latest news (Friday evening) is that Wolverhampton Wanderers are now favourites to sign the player.

Rennes back in for Delort

With Charlton failing to make progress in their efforts to sign Andy Delort, Rennes are back in the frame: Delort

The story is now being carried by multiple French sites, no doubt with a great deal of copying. The reports are short and have nothing new to say, but there is confirmation that our offer was €2m.

We could do with another striker, but it looks like it won't be Delort.

Tours talks continue

The Andy Delort transfer saga has been one of the longest I can remember at Charlton, or at least it seems that way. I know that many fans are getting bored with it, but at least the player is maintaining his enthusiasm for joining the Addicks.

Bob Peeters is of the view that talks are continuing, although he doesn't seem to know a lot more than the average fan: Tours Presumably, Katrien is in charge of the talks from the Charlton end with Roland overseeing them.

Tours need the money and one hopes that they will accept a reasonable offer, but Roland is surely right not to make an excessive one.

Celso Borges: he say no

Celso Borges has made it clear through his agent says that 'he does not want to play in the Championship and will not coming to Charlton'. This always looked like an unlikely deal to me. (As someone has queried the grammar of the headline, I should point out that it's a play on the old Del Monte adverts which were sometimes located in Central America: Del Monte

The Andy Delort deal has run into the sands given what Tours want and what the network is prepared to pay. Delort wants to come to Charlton is very upset with the president of his club who he thinks is asking for too much money: Delort lets rip .

Andy Delort has told L‘Equipe that the Tours President “is only thinking of himself” after the striker’s move to Charlton fell through because the Championship side failed to agree a fee with Tours, who want €4m plus hefty bonuses. [Far too much] At the moment, no agreement has been made, and Tours have no intention of lowering their demands. Whether or not Charlton have given up yet remains to be seen.

The Yannis Salibur deal still looks possible, but Brentford are chasing him as well.

Belgian Bob: Delort has been on our radar

Bob Peeters has said in today's Charlton press conference that Andy Delort is a player 'who has been on our radar, but I cannot talk about players who are not ours.' This implies that he has slipped off the radar, but may reappear.

It does confound that those who have claimed that the whole story is a complete fiction resulting from sites copying each other or stoked by Delort's agent (certainly someone has been active on his behalf given the number of clubs he has been linked with). Whether there will be an outcome remains to be seen, but many fans are getting weary of the story.

Peeters also said that Callum Harriott is not 100 per cent and may not be available for the Brentford game. However, there is still time for a niggle to clear up.

The deal is not done

Charlton Athletic and Tours are yet to agree on a deal on Andy Delort. Because he is unproven in the UK, Charlton want a substantial add on element, but Tours are not keen on this.

French sources are reporting that Charlton Athletic and Tours will resume negotiations tomorrow. The Ligue 2 side want €5m upwards (apx. £3.96m) [too much in my view], but Charlton are currently struggling to offer more than €3m plus bonuses.

For his part Delort is keen to join the Addicks.

Ironically, having been criticised for failing to invest, Roland is now being criticised by some fans for contemplating spending too much.

C'est Delort pour Charlton

The leading French sports site L'Equipe is reporting this morning that Andy Delort is about to sign for Charlton (please note that an advert appears when you first load the page): Delort

The 22 year old is to sign a five year contract for €3m plus add ons. The report refers to his tour of Sparrows Lane and The Valley which took place last week.

Charlton in three cornered battle for Delort

Charlton are in a battle with Brentford for the signature of 22-year old French striker Andy Delort while Rennes are trying to keep him in France. He scored 24 goals in 36 games for Ligue 2 last season. People have been having fun on Wikipedia changing the name of the club he plays for.

Sources close to the beverage department are saying that he was at Sparrows Lane yesterday. He was supposed to arrive at 2, but didn't get there until 5, limiting the possibility of talks, but it is claimed that they continued on Saturday.

Apparently he had talks with Athletico Madrid and Leicester in May, but they came to nothing: why is not clear. It may be that he likes a French-speaking environment, a need which Charlton as the Belgian club that plays in London could meet.

Leeds United fans are now saying that it is a done deal that he is going to them, but one site is insisting that it's a battle between Brentford and Charlton: Delort . This appears to have been correct as Leeds have now stated that they will not be signing him, which means we are back to the original three cornered race: White flag

He has played once for France's under 20 side and also for French beach soccer under the management of Eric Cantona: Career

In case he does come to Charlton, here is some video: At his best