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Exclusive: Walsall Could Make Daniel Kanu’s Loan from Charlton Permanent if They Secure League One Promotion

Walsall are considering making Daniel Kanu's loan move permanent if he helps them reach League One. The 21-year-old has been in impressive form, scoring 16 goals in 31 games. Talks of a deal will be held in the summer, depending on both clubs' fates. Kanu has a year left on his current deal with Charlton.

Shane MacDermott
S. MacDermott

Last updated: 2026-02-09

Louis Hobbs

2 minutes read

Walsall v Colchester United - Sky Bet League Two

Walsall v Colchester United - Sky Bet League Two by NurPhoto | Getty Images

Walsall will explore the viability of making top scorer Daniel Kanu’s loan deal permanent if he fires them to League One, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal. 

The talented youngster is on loan from Championship Charlton this season and has netted 16 times in 31 games in all competitions. 

The Saddlers squandered promotion last season in the play-offs after spending a large part of the campaign top of the table.

That coincided with losing talisman scorer Nathan Lowe, who was recalled by parent club Stoke City in the January transfer window.

It was the third season in a row where strike loanees were recalled dafter impressing at the Bescot Stadium. 

Walsall boss Mat Sadler was delighted the club were able to keep hold of Kanu this time around as his side battle in and around the play-off spots.

Our sources understand there are a lot of moving parts in terms of a potential deal in the summer with no plans for talks between the two clubs until their fate for next season is confirmed. 

Nathan Jones’ Addicks are battling to stay in the Championship, whilst it is understood Walsall would only try to fund a deal if they get promote to League One. 

Decade-Long History 

The 21-year-old, who will have a year left on his deal at The Valley at the end of the current campaign, joined the club at U11 level and penned his first professional deal in 2022.

As a first-year scholar, Kanu was awarded the club’s Young Player of the Year Award after bagging an incredible 41 goals.

Kanu has scored seven times in 59 league appearances for the Addicks.

Speaking about the player, Sadler said: “We're looking after their player well, they [Charlton] are very, very pleased with how we're looking after their player.” 

“And we'll keep looking after him because he's a fantastic kid and we'll keep doing what's right for the football club along with it.”

“We're working very hard to strengthen the squad in general, not just about the areas we want to strengthen, not just about one person in particular, but this is the game.”

Shane MacDermott
Shane MacDermottSports Writer

Shane is a seasoned sports journalist and one of the most recognisable voices in the snooker pressroom. From Ronnie O’Sullivan to Zhao Xintong, he has sat down with the sport’s biggest names and broken hundreds of front-page national stories.

Alongside his work for SportsBoom, Shane regularly freelances for national outlets including the Daily Mirror, Daily Express, and Daily Star.

While cricket is Shane’s true passion, particularly Test cricket, he keeps it largely separate from his professional work. But don’t expect him to be sold on The Hundred as the future of the game.