Charlton deal in doubt, rival transfer bid submitted and Portsmouth make decision

Jonson Clarke-Harris is a man in demand this January (Image: Getty Images)Jonson Clarke-Harris is a man in demand this January (Image: Getty Images)
Jonson Clarke-Harris is a man in demand this January (Image: Getty Images) | Getty Images
Charlton Athletic looked poised to complete a deal for the Peterborough United star but League Two Gillingham may have other ideas.

League One action is on pause for some clubs this weekend as the FA Cup comes to town and causes a shift in the fixture calendar but there is no break for Charlton Athletic as the side travels to Port Vale.

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London rivals Leyton Orient are not in action until next weekend but will benefit from the preparation time with a trip to league leaders Portsmouth as tricky as they come. There's also still plenty to be done off the pitch with the January transfer window open. Here's a round-up from clubs around League One.

Charlton Athletic face surprise competition from League Two side for Clarke-Harris

Charlton Athletic will have to fight off competition from League Two side Gillingham to secure the signing of Peterborough United talisman Jonson Clarke-Harris.

Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony has confirmed interest from the Addicks in the striker's services with the third-placed side having already rejected 'bids'. It is believed that Charlton have offered up to £450,000 for the star, who has 10 goals in 24 appearances this term and 104 career League One goals.

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Fourth division Gills will have to cough up more than the £450,000 offered by Charlton, with the Peterborough Telegraph confirming the club's interest in the 29-year-old. Gillingham are placed 10th in League Two with Charlton likely a more attractive prospect for Clarke-Harris. The two clubs have transfer rival history with Gills also looking at Alfie May before he joined the London club last summer.

Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson, who previously praised Clarke-Harris' 'outstanding' bounce back from a failed transfer to Bristol Rovers on deadline, has said: “Jonno knows his time is up at the club as he’s likely to get a move in January."

Oxford United to poach National League leaders

Promotion-chasing Oxford United will look to maintain their push for Championship football by poaching a winger from National League side Chesterfield, as Football Insider reports that a bid has been submitted.

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The Spireites' Armando Dobra has impressed this season and helped his side to the summit of the table with six goals in 22 matches for the side. The 22-year-old came through the youth set-up at Ipswich Town before breaking into the first team in 2019 and moving to Chesterfield in 2022.

The Albanian, who bagged 12 goals last season as his side reached the playoff final, has just six months left on his contract which could make the National League club keen to cash in on any offers coming in from Des Buckingham's League One side.

Portsmouth make ex Premier League star wait to learn south coast fate

Former Premier League star Josh Martin will have to wait to learn what his future at Portsmouth may look like after his short-term deal came to an end.

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Pompey boss John Mousinho has admitted that the club initially thought there would be 'nothing' for the ex-Norwich City star, but Martin has impressed when called upon by the league leaders this season. The player has made four appearances and injury concerns over Tino Anjorin and Anthony Scully could tempt the club to extend his deal, according to The News.

Former Norwich winger Josh Martin could have his Pompey contract extended. (Image: Getty Images)Former Norwich winger Josh Martin could have his Pompey contract extended. (Image: Getty Images)
Former Norwich winger Josh Martin could have his Pompey contract extended. (Image: Getty Images)

Mousinho said: "It’s early January (Martin’s contract ends). We’re going to wait and see how we are with wingers and how Josh does - then go from there. We literally went from Josh being on trial and thinking there would be nothing for him, and we were pretty open about that in the press. ‘He was still training with us but all of sudden it went to having a couple of injuries with Tino off the back of Anthony Scully being long-term and Gav (Whyte) having a couple of issues.

"So we thought it (a contract) was the right thing to do - and it turned out to be the right thing to do. We’ll see how it lands with the contract running out. He understands it’s the case (waiting on a decision) and we haven’t wanted to make a decision either way. It’s the best way to approach things and the best thing for Josh is he’s been involved and played games. He’s had three starts for us, which if you rewind eight weeks ago was a far-off possibility."

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