Thursday’s press conference was attended by television companies and the leading national newspapers, as well as the local press.
Chairman, Matt Southall, and Head of Recruitment, Steve Gallen, joined Lee Bowyer to answer questions.
Bowyer revealed on Thursday morning that he wanted his contract sorted by the weekend. Southall had previously said that he wanted to get the January transfer window out of the way first.
Southall was asked for an update by one of the nationals and he advised that Bowyer had been offered a five year deal on Thursday morning.
Bowyer had not seen the offer at the time of the press conference.
It is a real show of faith in the manager. How secure he. Is will be down to the exit clause, but with a five year deal that is likely to be lengthy.
Southall also confirmed that despite the offer to Lyle Taylor being withdrawn, the door was not closed on the striker, and he still wanted to keep him at the club. He added that Taylor would not leave before the summer.
Steve Gallen told the assembled press corps that he was trying to bring in three permanent signings this month, plus one more on loan.
Gallen added that the club were desperately close to bringing in another player earlier in the week, but the deal fell through at the last moment.
He was asked to clarify the Conor Gallagher situation amidst stories that he would be recalled by Chelsea and loaned to Norwich.
Gallen said that he was on a season long loan but Chelsea could recall him this monrh. Chelsea are happy with his development at The Valley and have not mentioned recalling him.
The player was possibly Blackpool’s Armand Gnanduillet. Earlier in the day the Blackpool Gazette revealed the Addicks had moved on to other targets after failing to agree a fee for the striker.
Charlton tried to sign Gnanduillet in the summer and had agreed a fee of £325,000 with the Seasiders according to the Gazette.
But there was some good news for Bowyer. Jake Forster-Caskey, Tomer Hemed and Jonny Williams will all be on the bench on Saturday.