Crazy day down in SE7

Ok, so where do we begin?

Let’s look at those going out. Dale Stephens to Brighton is done, undisclosed of course. Good luck to him, my last personal memory of Dale was his winner at St Andrews.

Yann Kermorgant was back at Sparrows Lane today and I am trying to understand what has gone on before and what can still happen in the next 36 hours. It appears Duchâtelet has offered him a contract extension, but one that Yann wasn’t particularly happy with. He has also insisted that Powell be guaranteed his future too. I wouldn’t think for a minute that the Belgium was very happy with this and with that accepted the £500,000 on offer from Bournemouth.

This has almost certainly been Powell and Duchâtelet’s first clash. The Daily Mail reported earlier that Powell’s future was now uncertain. That is hardly news, and I really don’t think Powell is a quitter.

We know that Duchâtelet invests in younger players with a view to future profit, Yann does not fit that bill, and Powell would have spent tireless hours convincing his new boss the contribution and the bearing that Kermorgant brings to the club and it’s supporters.

Now it’s whether Kermorgant’s advisor can wheedle out any more money from Duchâtelet, to close the gap on what Bournemouth are offering. Or does he just say no to Bournemouth and stay, and perhaps re-evaluate his situation in the summer. Or does he go?

Powell today: “I know Yann is very attached to the club and the area. He has settled in really well in London. I 100 per cent would like him to stay but realise the position that he and the club are in.” Honorably Eddie Howe has refused to comment on the situation.

Joe Pigott has moved to Gillingham on a 28 day loan, and it appears that Jordan Cook and Mark Gower will also go out on loan after the transfer deadline. More surprising is that Powell has also offered up Bradley Pritchard to go out on loan. His contract is up in June and the second season in the Championship has been a struggle for the likeable 28-year old. Sadly it has become apparent that his hard work and great fitness levels are not enough, despite at times Powell preferring to play him over others.

The biggest news today was the four and half year contract extension for Rhoys Wiggins. I think Wiggins could make it in the Premiership, and he may well do, or don’t laugh, but maybe the Belgium Pro League! Anyway when that news came through today, that put a smile on everyone’s face in what has been a tough 24 hours for Addicks’ fans.

Also officially announced today was the signing of Iranian striker Reza Ghoochannejhad (photo) on a two and a half year deal from Standard Liege, undisclosed of course. Possibly the longest name ever to wear a Charlton shirt, but he has told us we can simply call him Reza.

Interesting one this. Reza is worshipped in his native Iran, although he moved to Holland as a child. The 26-year old has scored consistently in Holland and played for network club St Truiden before signing for Standard Liege. He really came to prominence during Iran’s qualification for the 2014 World Cup. Reza has scored 8 goals in 10 games for Iran since making his debut in October 2012.

I have to say I am quite excited about seeing a Charlton player at the World Cup. The immediate problem with him though is that he’s not fit. He hasn’t played since a Europa Cup game at Esbjerg in November. He has only started one league game this season for Standard, but did score.

He has been described to me today as a goal poacher, clinical, hard working and presses high up the pitch. We could be surprised by our first Iranian since Karim Bagheri! Hmmm, let’s not let that put us off!

Chris Powell also talked today about Piotr Parzyszek, a 20-year striker who has scored 16 goals in 20 games and is the current Dutch Division 2 leading scorer.

According to Parzyszek’s club De Graafschap we have already signed him and according to his Twitter page he flies to London tomorrow to have a medical.

Aston Villa were taking a look at him in December and only last week West Ham were chasing him. Then Nantes, who are having a very good Ligue One season made an enquiry plus a deal to join Benfica earlier this month fell through. The fee is reported to be around £600,000 and will be the first new acquisition that doesn’t play for one of Duchâtelet’s clubs, not unless Roly is about to buy De Graafschap, he hasn’t gone Dutch yet!

Parzyszek was born in Poland but moved as a youngster to the Netherlands. He has been capped at various levels up to U21 by Poland.

Rich Cawley of the SLP tweeted that four new players were at The Valley today, two must have been Reza and Loic Nego, heaven knows who the other two might have been.

Two other strikers that Powell commented on today were Sochaux’s 22-year-old French forward Cédric Bakambu and Simeon Jackson.

Bakambu has to be out of range, because he has long been considered one of French football’s most exciting talents. Newcastle, Norwich and Palace have shown interest in Bakambu and The Mirror reckon he is worth £3,000,000.

If he rolls up at Sparrows Lane tomorrow, I might just pee myself, but it was strange that Powell felt compelled to talk about Bakambu today.

“I’m led to believe a number of clubs are looking at him, one or two Premier League clubs. Again he is one we’ve made enquiries for but we will see how far that goes.”

Simeon Jackson is almost certain to return to England from Germany but Millwall seem favourites to sign the ex-Gillingham striker as they are prepared to give him a longer term contract. Charlton apparently offered him a deal until the end of the season.

Loic Nego signs a three-and-a-half-year deal, yet they only offer Jackson one for four months! Interesting, but I’m going to lay off Duchâtelet for the minute, and review the situation at midnight tomorrow.