Charlton Athletic were credited with an interest in Gillingham defender Jack Tucker during the summer transfer window, as reported by print edition of The Sun on Sunday (29.08.21. pg. 60).

However, a deal between the two clubs never came to fruition.

Tucker, who has played every minute of the new League One season, progressed through the academy at the third-tier club, making his league debut in October 2017.

Proceeding to embark on loan spells with Greenwich Borough and Hastings United, the 21-year-old then became a first-team regular with the Kent-based club during the 2019/20 campaign, with Tucker making 28 league appearances.

Improving his minutes on the pitch the following campaign, the young centre-back made 43 League One appearances, scoring his first league goal for Gillingham during a 3-1 victory over Ipswich Town.

Speaking about this summer's transfer speculation, Tucker told Kent Online: “I have not heard a lot. I am contracted here and I am enjoying playing my football here; It is an honour to play every game and I play as well as I can.

“My future lies with Gillingham at the minute and I will just keep trying my best for the shirt.

“I have been here since a kid and it is always an honour to put a Gills shirt on. I am not thinking ahead or anything like that.”

The verdict

Tucker has made an excellent start to his career with Gillingham, and despite being just 21 years of age, he is nearing 100 appearances. 

The young defender has a lot of desirable traits that make him an appealing player for a team like Charlton, and for sides higher up in the pyramid. 

He is a composed figure in possession and is brave on the ball, and he also reads the game very well and is intelligent off the ball too. 

He is also becoming more of a physical presence, something that will only improve as he gets older.