Exclusive: Charlton Eye Permanent Move for Standout Loan Star James Bree

Charlton Athletic are pursuing a permanent deal for loan star James Bree, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

The right-back penned a loan move until January in the summer.

But with his contract expiring at the end of the season, Addicks’ bosses are trying to work out a deal for the 27-year-old, who has been a standout performer so far this term.

Bree has returned to form under Nathan Jones with the Addicks’ manager keen to retain his services.

Our sources understand Charlton are readying a bid which would see his stay at The Valley extended.

Bree has scored twice and provided three assists so far this season and is a pivotal part of Charlton’s squad.

Speaking about Bree’s free-kick deliveries earlier this season, Jones, who worked with the player at Luton, said: “He’s the best I've ever worked with and bare in mind I worked with James Ward-Prowse.”

The landscape at St Mary’s is different from when Bree left for London with Tonda Eckert now in interim charge after Will Still’s sacking. 

It remains to be seen if Eckert will get the job but all Addicks eyes are on the situation at Southampton and if Still’s eventual permanent successor wants Bree in their plans amid the club’s ongoing struggles.

SportsBoom’s sources also reported in September that Charlton held talks with forward Tyreece Campbell over a new contract, but no agreement has been reached yet; with a one-year extension running until 2026, the club aren’t in a rush and are confident the player is content.

Oakwell Pedigree

Bree came through the ranks at Barnsley’s academy and was one in a long line of top-class defenders from the Oakwell conveyor belt, following in the footsteps of the likes of John Stones and Mason Holgate. 

He penned a four-and-a-half-year deal with Aston Villa for what the Tykes called a “substantial fee” in January 2017. 

During his time at Villa Park he went on loan to Ipswich Town and Luton Town before making a permanent switch to the latter in 2020.

Bree joint the Saints in 2023 when they were in the Premier League and made 19 appearances in the 2023/24 campaign as the south coast club were promoted back to the top flight.