Charlton Athletic set to sign veteran goalkeeper

Asmir Begovic’s move to Charlton Athletic is said to be nearing its completion, despite the Addicks facing strong competition from Blackburn Rovers and AFC Bournemouth.

According to a recent rumor posted on Saturday morning on his Patreon account, transfer guru Alan Nixon stated that the Bosnia & Herzegovina international will stay in London for the forthcoming campaign.

In what is Nathan Jones’ first full season at the Valley, Charlton is continuing to get ready for the upcoming League One campaign. Jones took over in the winter and led the Addicks away from relegation danger, losing just two of their final 16 games from February onward.

The former Luton Town and Stoke City manager has made a number of changes in this area of the city during the off-season as he attempts to make a prolonged promotion drive. His team completed the previous season in 16th place, 23 points behind Barnsley in the final play-off spot.

And in the face of competition from players higher up the English pyramid, the free transfer of Begovic undoubtedly carries on the tradition of signing players with League One or more experience.

The 37-year-old left Queens Park Rangers after his contract at Loftus Road expired, but rumors of a move to Charlton initially emerged late this week. Richard Cawley of the South London Press was the first to report on these developments.

Begovic had come to the Addicks’ attention at the start of the transfer window, according to Cawley, but it was unclear if any progress had been made in any negotiations since then.

Nixon has since disclosed, though, that Begovic is nearing a move across London following his 45 appearances under Gareth Ainsworth and Marti Cifuentes last season. The former international for Bosnia and Herzegovina is eager to assume the top spot for the upcoming campaign and is taking into account the club’s location—the former R’s and Chelsea player doesn’t have a particularly long commute.

Additionally, goalkeeper Harry Isted is expected to accept a permanent contract with League One rival Burton Albion, creating a void in the Charlton roster.

It has long been known that Blackburn wants to bolster the ranks of their own goalkeepers union at Ewood Park.

But one component of the agreement that has seemingly turned Begovic’s head is that he is located 235 miles north of the city. Initially, speculations surfaced that John Eustace was planning a possible double transfer for both Begovic and Lyndon Dykes, his old Rangers colleague.

Aynsley Pears is the only keeper in Rovers’ ranks who is a seasoned Championship campaigner with 74 second tier appearances to date, unlike his understudies Joe Hilton and Jack Barrett. The East Lancashire side already lost Leopold Wahlstedt to AGF Aarhus earlier this summer.

Luke Berry, Greg Docherty, Matty Godden, Gassan Ahadme, and other strong additions to the squad have been made by Jones and his recruiting staff, despite the loss of Alfie May, the top scorer from the previous season, to Birmingham City earlier in the transfer window.

It’s evident that the Welshman is after players who possess both exceptional skill and experience, and Charlton’s goals would only be furthered by the signing of Begovic.

In addition, the Bosnian goalkeeper’s impending move to Burton Albion appears to be opening up a spot for him, joining Will Mannion and Ashley Maynard-Brewer in a formidable goalkeeping combination.

The Addicks would undoubtedly win this signing, especially considering the competition that was discussed earlier.