Brentford are reportedly plotting to swoop for Charlton Athletic striker Lyle Taylor before the end of the transfer window.

On the back of a 28-goal season, the Bees saw star striker Neal Maupay depart for Brighton yesterday in a reported £20 million deal and they will have to work fast to replace him before the transfer window closes on Thursday.

Taylor was Charlton’s top-scorer last season, finding the net 25 times for the South London club and helping them to achieve promotion to the Championship.

His performances don’t appear to have gone unnoticed at Griffin Park as, according to Football Insider, Taylor is Brentford’s top target as a replacement for Maupay.

The report suggests that the Bees are plotting a £3 million move for the 29-year-old.

Taylor only has one year left on his current deal at the Valley and is yet to agree new terms with the Addicks.

That could mean the club are open to selling the striker in this transfer window, in order to avoid seeing him walk away at the end of his contract–as Joe Aribo did this summer.

Taylor joined Charlton last summer on a free transfer from AFC Wimbledon.

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The Verdict

This would be a huge blow for Charlton but I think a really smart move from Brentford.

Taylor was a hugely important player for Lee Bowyer’s team last season and showed his class, not only top-scoring for the Addicks but also providing by far the most assists of any player in the squad, with 13.

Early indications were that he was settling well back in the Championship, as he got himself off and running with a goal against Blackburn on Saturday.

It is going to be tough for Bowyer’s side back in the second flight of English football this season and losing such an integral player with such little time to replace him is only going to make things harder.

However, they will not want to see a repeat of the Aribo situation and may feel that if a suitable bid comes in they have to accept it.