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There have been recent reports suggesting that Jason Pearce could leave The Valley this summer, with Birmingham, Bolton and Wigan said to be chasing his signature.

Pearce joined the Addicks from Wigan last summer, and despite a long term injury that sidelined him for three months, the combative defender had an impressive campaign.

He captained Wigan to the 2015/16 League One title, and is the sort of player that managers build their teams around.

It would be a surprise if Pearce left The Valley, particularly to one of the clubs mentioned.

Bolton only had a transfer embargo lifted in January, and it seems unlikely that the Trotters would be able to pay the kind of ‎fee that Pearce would command.

Similarly, Birmingham would also struggle to meet the fee. A year ago, the Blues were beaten to Nicky Ajose’s signature by Charlton.

Wigan sold Pearce last summer, and it is believed the player wanted to return south.

The most likely outcome is that Pearce will stay at The Valley.

Karl Robinson revealed to the South London Press that he was disappointed that a meeting he had with Ben Reeves had been made public.

Reeves’ agent, John Sorzano, spoke to the Newsshopper last week.

Here is what Robinson told the SLP’s Richard Cawley:

“I’m a little disappointed with that because – as you well know – I have said nothing to anybody, I do my business in a very private way.

“If he wants to talk about it that’s down to him. It is leverage to get more money at other clubs, that’s what it seems like for me.
“At no stage have I come to you and said we’re after this player or that player. It is down to us to keep our stuff very, very quiet. You look at the great teams in the past and what stands out is they don’t have it is washed out in public.

“It causes untold problems in a football club. It gets the fans excited and then disappointed. Or not excited. You’re playing with people and that is not fair on the fans.

“If I have something to say then we’ll do it. We’re trying to do it with a bit of integrity and respect. We have had meetings with players but it is not fair on the player or other clubs chasing them, at no stage do we want to be used as leverage to get more money.

“We want players because they want to play for Charlton Athletic,” said Robinson.

Sorzano was doing his job, trying to ensure his client got the best possible deal for his client. The Addicks are not the only club interested in Reeves, and the competition for his signature will push the terms offered to him up.

‎Another pre-season game was announced on Tuesday. Karl Robinson will take his team to the Crabble to face Dover on Tuesday 25 July.