Charlton Athletic may face the departure of one of their loan players during the current transfer window, as the Irish Independent reports that 19-year-old James Abankwah is set to be recalled by his parent club, Udinese. Despite limited opportunities with Charlton, featuring in just two EFL starts, the defender is reportedly heading back to Italy due to Udinese’s impatience with his lack of playing time.
Abankwah’s loan recall is seen as a move to evaluate potential options for a second loan, either within the EFL or Serie B. Udinese currently has players on loan in the Championship and Serie C, but none in League One or Serie B, which are considered likely destinations for Abankwah.
Charlton boss Michael Appleton has previously expressed his intention to review loan deals at the club. While not explicitly referring to Abankwah, Appleton emphasized that loan agreements often involve a mutual assessment between the two clubs regarding the player’s progress and the viability of continuing the loan.
James Abankwah, who made 13 appearances for Irish side St Patrick’s before joining Udinese in a deal valued at €800,000, was loaned back to St Patrick’s for the season. Despite initially representing Ireland’s Under 21 team and making appearances in Serie A, his time at Charlton has not unfolded as expected, leading to a likely premature end to the loan spell.
The move from the League of Ireland to Italy was anticipated to be challenging, making the loan to Charlton seem sensible. However, the report suggests that the loan has not been successful, and both parties seem inclined to terminate the arrangement. While a move to League One may suit Abankwah’s level, there is speculation that a loan to Serie B could offer a better fit, allowing for a more settled cultural adjustment. Regardless, Abankwah’s time at Charlton appears to be concluding, but at 19 years old, he has the opportunity to move past this experience swiftly.
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