Chelsea and another Premier League club are closely monitoring Mason Burstow according to Nizaar Kinsella of Goal.

The 18-year-old has scored six goals across seven starts in all competitions this season, and has become a far more regular member of the first team in the last month or so.

Kinsella explained that there has already been one offer made to Charlton from a top-flight club on Twitter this morning.

A potential Burstow departure would be a crushing blow to the optimistic feeling about the Addicks' future under Johnnie Jackson, with this interest testing the ambition of owner Thomas Sandgaard.

The club have seen the likes of Joe Aribo, Dillon Phillips and Alfie Doughty move on for a pittance, due to their contract situations, in recent seasons but the Addicks should be in a stronger position with Burstow.

In terms of their forward line there is depth to fill a void left behind, with Chuks Aneke, Conor Washington, Jayden Stockley and Jonathan Leko all capable at the level, but not possessing the potential of the 18-year-old.

It will be interesting to see if Burstow is involved in the Addicks' trip to Portsmouth on Monday evening with the fixture taking place on transfer deadline day.

The Verdict

 

 

It would demonstrate a lack of ambition if Charlton were to sell Burstow in the remaining three days of the window.

The 18-year-old's value in the transfer market could at least double by this time next year, and from an asset management point of view, if Burstow continues his upward trajectory for another season or so, the club would be able to demand far more money for him in terms of a transfer fee.

This is the first dilemma of this kind in Thomas Sandgaard's tenure as owner of the club, and a sale would probably cause some backlash from the supporters.

In looking to be a selling club to increase future transfer budgets, providing Burstow with first team opportunities to grow his reputation for a while longer would put the Addicks in a better position to command a higher fee in any future sale.