Charlton Athletic look set to lose midfielder Joe Aribo in the summer as the race for his signature heats up, according to the Independent.

The 22-year old has often been overlooked by the media as they purr over the strike force of Lyle Taylor and Karlan Grant, but he's been a key figure for Lee Bowyer and is one whom the manager would surely love to keep.

He has just six months left on his current deal and the latest reports suggest he could be looking to Germany to further his career. Jadon Sancho has set the bar over there, joining Dortmund and impressing and it's now thought Frankfurt are interested in taking former Staines midfielder Aribo.

Portuguese giants Benfica are identified in the report as keen on the schemer, along with long-term Premier League admirers Southampton and Spurs. Derby are also named but would appear to be on the outside of the hunt given the other names involved.

Charlton have been keen to retain his services, with a new contract reportedly offered recently, but it appears he is far more likely to seek a move than he is to remain at the Valley.

It is thought he is a victim of Roland Duchatelet's terrible spell at the helm, with a new deal offered in the summer but then withdrawn. It was replaced by a much lower deal, which Aribo didn't sign.

That tactic now looks likely to backfire, with the Bundesliga set to benefit from yet another young English talent.

The Verdict

Charlton fans have suffered enough, but losing Aribo would be the final straw, surely. If the owner hadn't dithered in the summer, their brightest talent would at least bring them a decent fee, but instead he could leave for next to nothing.

They need to sort the situation quickly, not Aribo, Duchatelet. His poisonous influence is destroying everything good that bowyer and his players are trying to achieve, this is just another instance in which it is evident.