Manager John Coleman insists that Accrington Stanley are under no pressure to sell Dion Charles amid interest from Nottingham Forest and Derby County, as reported by the Lancashire Telegraph.
After a dismal season at Pride Park and the City Ground, the two clubs on either side of the Brian Clough divide may be shopping in the same circles this summer.
The Sun reported in April that Wayne Rooney’s Rams, who only staved off the threat of relegation on the final day of the Championship season, were looking to solve their goal-scoring problems with a £1.5 million deal for Accrington talisman Charles.
The quicksilver striker also has admirers at the City Ground, it seems.
The Athletic reports that Nottingham Forest are big fans of Charles, after the Northern Irishman broke the 20-goal barrier for the first time in the Football League.
Accrington supporters might have assumed that Charles would go after Stanley fell short of the League One play-off places.
So Coleman’s comments will be music to the ears of everyone at the Wham Stadium. Charles is go-going nowhere in a hurry.
“We’ve been told by the chairman that we don’t need to sell so everything is in place for us to go forward,” Coleman said.
“So instead of looking over our shoulders we could be reaching for the stars.”
Coleman did admit that Stanley’s arm may be twisted if they receive an offer they cannot refuse, though players like Charles and fellow striker Colby Bishop will not be sold for less than a seven-figure sum.
“If we think the best business sense is to sell a player for the good of the club, that’s what we will do and it doesn’t matter who the player is,” Coleman added.
“That means you get the market value, the starting price for our top players now is well over a million.”
For now, though, all the signs suggest that Charles will still be banging in the goals for Stanley next term.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
