Lee Bowyer has until Friday to agree a new contract at Charlton, according to SouthLondonPress.

After that deadline, other clubs will be able to approach Bowyer with the aim of making him their next manager.

SouthLondonPress also report that talks are only beginning today, which doesn't leave much time to finalise all aspects of the contract.

Despite that, Head of Recruitment Steve Gallen has indicated that both he and Bowyer have already started preparing for next season. In regard to transfers, they have targets in mind and have identified areas of the squad which most need reinforcements.

The Charlton manager spent a week away on holiday after guiding the Addicks to promotion at Wembley, but it is believed that the club did not engage in any contract talk prior to that.

Owner Roland Duchatelet has come under heavy criticism in the past for this type of disorganisation. He is believed to be interested in selling the club, but is yet to find a buyer who will meet his asking price of £65 million.

Bowyer's contract runs out at the end of June, so that is the more realistic deadline for a new contract given the 42-year-old will want to stay at the club for the foreseeable future.

The Verdict

Lee Bowyer is currently Charlton's most important asset, and the club should be doing everything to keep him.

It says a lot about Duchatelet and the way the club is run that it has taken this long for talks to begin.

Negotiations should have begun as soon as Charlton looked like they would make the play-offs, which was several weeks ago.

Charlton are fortunate that Bowyer is keen on staying. They must get this deal done and then they can think about bringing in playing personnel.