Charlton Athletic manager Lee Bowyer has admitted that it may be 'impossible' for the club to replace Joe Aribo in the current transfer window, following his move to Rangers last month.

Aribo scored ten goals and provided three assists in 39 league appearances for Charlton last season, helping the Addicks to win promotion back to the Championship via the League One play-offs in May.

Following Aribo's transfer to Ibrox, Bowyer had claimed that the move north of the border was the wrong one for the 22-year-old, suggesting it could harm his chances of ever playing in the Premier League.

With the loans deals of Krystian Bielik and Josh Cullen also expiring at the end of the season, midfield appears to be an area where Charlton need to strengthen in the current transfer window, although Bowyer is under no illusions as to the challenge he faces in doing that.

Speaking to the South London Press, the Charlton boss said: "It’s vital. But to replace Joe, with the budget we have got, is impossible. That’s just a fact.

“We have got to try and get as close as we can to someone with Joe’s qualities and ability as we possibly can."

Discussing the progress the club is making in their midfielder search, the 42-year-old went onto reveal: “We are constantly on the phone and going through videos. We are working like you couldn’t imagine – the only time we are not talking about it is when we are sleeping.

“Even on Wednesday I had a day off but all day I was on the phone going through players that we’ve got on our list. Can he replace him? Could he bring what he brought? It’s tough. I knew it was going to be tough."

The Verdict

You have to worry for Charlton here.

Aribo's influence is evidently going to be a big miss for the Addicks next season, and this update isn't exactly going to instil any confidence about the search for his potential replacement at The Valley.

With other midfielders also leaving the club, it does look as though this could be a problematic position for the Addicks heading into the new season, which doesn't bode well given the step up they are about to make.

It will be interesting to see just who Charlton bring in to take Aribo's place in the side, but with less than a month until the end of the transfer window, the pressure is mounting on the club to get things sorted sooner rather than later.