Charlton Athletic have entered a three-way battle with Championship rivals Norwich City and Blackburn Rovers to sign former Premier League midfielder Tom Lawrence from Australian A-League side Perth Glory this January.
Welsh Wizard Making Waves Down Under
The 32-year-old Welsh international only joined Perth Glory in October 2025 after leaving Scottish giants Rangers, but he has made an immediate and spectacular impact. In his first nine appearances, Lawrence has registered an impressive five goals and two assists.
His standout performances include a match-winning hat-trick in a 3-1 victory over Melbourne City. Most recently, he scored a remarkable ‘Olimpico’ goal – finding the net directly from a corner kick – and provided an assist against Central Coast Mariners. After that match, Central Coast head coach Warren Moon unequivocally praised Lawrence, stating: "He was the best player in the park. Simple as that. He was too good for us tonight."
Championship Trio Circle for January Swoop
This rich vein of form has not gone unnoticed back in the UK, with Charlton Athletic, Norwich City, and Blackburn Rovers all now monitoring his situation with a view to a January transfer. A move to Carrow Road could see Lawrence reunite with his former Rangers manager, Philippe Clement.
For Charlton, managed by Nathan Jones, the shared Welsh connection is seen as a potential key factor in brokering a deal. However, Perth Glory are understandably reluctant to lose their star man and are reportedly keen to tie him down to a longer-term contract.
Despite their desire to keep him, it is believed the Australian club would find it difficult to reject a substantial offer from a second-tier English side. Interest is also present within the A-League, with rivals Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory keeping tabs.
Attractive Fee and Proven Pedigree
Reports suggest that a bid in the region of £130,000 could be enough to persuade Perth Glory to sell, representing a potentially shrewd piece of business for any Championship club. Lawrence boasts extensive experience at this level, having made 264 Championship appearances across spells with Blackburn Rovers, Cardiff City, Ipswich Town, and Derby County.
The midfielder began his career at Manchester United's academy before joining Leicester City in 2014 following their promotion to the Premier League. Although he made only four top-flight appearances for the Foxes, he also brings valuable Europa League experience from his time at Rangers, where he scored three goals in ten European outings.
His versatility, allowing him to operate in both deep and advanced midfield roles, would be a significant asset to Nathan Jones's squad at The Valley as they look to strengthen their promotion push.
