Astute acquisitions to lead to big striker deal?
Later in the week this handsome young man is due to join up with the rest of the squad at Sparrows Lane as Curbs today added further to his squad for next season.

After the Carlton Cole fiasco, the Addicks appear to have regained some confidence in the loan system as Gonzalo Sorondo joined on a one-year loan deal from Internazionale, with an option to sign him on a permanent basis at the end of next season. A tribunal today agreed to his work permit.

The 25-year old Uruguayan central defender was one of the few success stories at Palace last season and is a regular for his national team. Charlton's dipping their toe into the loan water is in contrast to what happens in Italy, for example Inter signed Sorondo from Defensor in Uruguay in 2001 and he has only started 8 games for the Serie A side, in between being loaned out to Sporting Liege and the Beagles.

Other news today surrounds the signing of Russian captain Alexei Smertin. Negotiations go on between the Addicks and the Blues with Charlton hoping to secure him permanently for around £1.75m.

There is also a school of thought building that the cost conscious, poker faced dealings done by the Addicks so far this summer, with still the possibility of some exits, means that they are set to spend big on a striker.  ¶ 20:35