Charlton Athletic 'desperate' to sign Southampton defender loved by Nathan Jones
Southampton recalled the Charlton Athletic loanee in January but the Addicks want him back at The Valley.
Charlton Athletic are reportedly ‘determined’ to bring Southampton full-back James Bree back to The Valley this summer.
The 28-year-old spent the first half of the season on loan with the Addicks but was recalled by the Saints in January. Bree had become a fringe player under Will Still at St Mary’s Stadium but has been handed a more prominent role under Tonda Eckert.
Bree has made 10 Championship appearances since moving back to Southampton with two goals and two assists in that time. The full-back had picked up two goals and three assists in 22 outings for Charlton Athletic.
SportsBoom report that the London outfit remain impressed by Bree and are keen to have him back next summer. Bree is out of contract at the end of the campaign and has not yet signed an extension with Southampton.
It’s added that Charlton Athletic had tried to work on a permanent deal for Bree while he was on loan at The Valley but that a transfer fee could not be agreed for the former Luton Town and Barnsley man.
Nathan Jones confirms ongoing Charlton Athletic interest in James Bree
Jones had told South London Sport: "We wanted to keep James. I cannot second-guess what they are thinking in terms of not selecting him against Sheffield United.
"We didn't want him to go back. James didn't want to go back. But if he is going to go back, then I think he wants to play. There is no point me commenting on Southampton.
"Southampton are Southampton, and he is their player, so they can do whatever they want with him. We would have liked to have kept him, and we still would."
Bree himself was asked about the situation and told the Daily Echo: "Everything was a little bit up in the air because there wasn't much communication between Charlton, Southampton, and me. There was just a lack of communication. I enjoyed my time at Charlton because I was playing every week, and I just wanted to play football.
"The clubs weren't in communication, and I ended up coming back here. I just want to play football. I've had two or three meetings with the gaffer to see how I've settled in.
"He's shown me how he likes to play. I know there are a few good right-backs here, and there is good competition in the squad. You are not guaranteed to start every week, which is fine, but as long as I'm in and around it, that's what I want to do."
In other news, Charlton Athletic star earns Scotland call-up amid Millwall and Leicester City transfer links.