Lee Bowyer comments on Charlton’s interest in Leeds’ Eunan O’Kane

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Charlton Athletic are hoping to bring Leeds United midfielder Eunan O’Kane to The Valley, according to Lee Bowyer.

Lee Bowyer has told the South London Press that Charlton have been in contact with Leeds over a potential move for Eunan O’Kane, but admitted that a deal currently looks unlikely.

O’Kane appears to have no future in the first-team at Elland Road. Despite featuring regularly throughout last season, the Republic of Ireland international has been exiled from the senior side since Marcelo Bielsa’s arrival and it would surprise few if his departure was imminent.

Bowyer has confirmed that the Addicks hope to offer the 28-year-old an escape route while the loan window remains open, but the Charlton boss admitted that his club may struggle to get something done anytime soon with O’Kane hoping to stay in the Championship and his wages proving to be a stumbling block.

“He is definitely someone we are interested in,” he told South London Press. “But obviously he’s on a big wage, so Leeds are weighing up where he is going. Because of that, we can’t compete with his wage and the player wants to play in the Championship still.

“But yeah, he is a target and we have asked the question. They are keeping us in mind the later it goes. Is it going to happen straight away? No. We’ve spoken a couple of weeks ago now. They know we’re interested. They have said they will try and look after me if they can. At this present time he’s not coming down but it could be something happens later on.”

Unfortunately for O’Kane, his form towards the end of last season may not help his chances of securing a move to another second tier side this month. He started the season brilliantly, but his form tailed off dramatically and he is now not getting the chance to put himself in the shop window under Bielsa.

A spell in League One may perhaps represent his best opportunity to get his career back on track. It may appear to be one step further back than he would like to take, but it has to be a lot better for the former Bournemouth ace than staying at Leeds and being well out of the picture.

And it is perhaps a gamble to use Bowyer’s men as a backup option as they would be forgiven for not wanting to wait right until the deadline for a decision on O’Kane. If they manage to get another midfielder in instead, O’Kane could perhaps be left kicking himself that he did not do all he could to seal a switch if no other offers emerge.