Brighton and Hove Albion are planning a surprise transfer raid on Charlton Athletic, who might lose one of their prized assets throughout the remainder of this month’s transfer window as Nathan Jones attempts to maintain the Addicks in the Championship after promotion last season.

Charlton’s immediate objective will be survival, with the South London club’s play deteriorating at an alarming rate after a surprise impressive return to the second tier.

After signing Lyndon Dykes and Harry Clarke, more signings may be required before February 2 to improve their own survival chances.

However, they will not be looking to sell anyone who is essential to the club’s immediate or long-term aspirations, which is posing a challenge for Brighton.

Brighton will continue to urge Charlton Athletic to sign Micah Mbick this month.

According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Premier League side Brighton are contemplating a third bid for Charlton’s teenage striker Micah Mbick, who is presently on loan at League Two Colchester United.

The 19-year-old is now excelling with Colchester in League Two, prompting Brighton to pursue a transfer. Mbick, an England youth international, has six goals and two assists in the fourth division for Colchester this season and has sparked attention from the south coast club.

The Seagulls’ second approach for Mbick was said to be for £3.5 million (including a fixed fee of around £2.5 million), but Charlton believes the striker is worth more.

Brighton are poised to make a third bid for Mbick later this month, putting Charlton’s desire to sign the attacker to the test.

With Charlton remaining solid in their stance on Mbick, it may only be a matter of time before they are forced to accept a deal.

The 19-year-old has made 11 first-team appearances for the Addicks, seven of which have been in league action, but he was loaned out this summer to continue his development in what will be his first full season of professional football.

Mbick has looked right at home in League Two, with his ability to hold up play, maintain composure on the ball, and control the ball on full display for all to see.

Brighton has built a reputation for signing young, undervalued players and then selling them for hefty prices, and they clearly believe Mbick has the potential to be the next one on the Seagulls’ conveyor belt.

It remains to be seen whether the Addicks will be able to continue to resist approaches from Brighton, as Nathan Jones’ side will have hoped that he would prosper in League Two for the rest of the year before joining their first team.

Indeed, with Charlie Kelman, Miles Leaburn, and Isaac Olaofe all struggling in front of goal this season, Charlton will be reluctant to lose one of their best strikers, but if Brighton continues to push, they may not have an option.

Nathan Jones of Charlton Athletic will be reluctant to see the promising Micah Mbick depart the club this month.

Charlton has produced numerous exceptional players throughout the years, like Ademola Lookman, Ezri Konsa, and Joe Gomez, who all rose through the ranks at The Valley before shining elsewhere.

Mbick is widely regarded as the next in line to burst onto the scene, and Charlton will understandably be unhappy to see him depart so early in his development.

While not an immediate part of their first-team plans, if Mbick continues on his current path, he might be included in the club’s first-team plans as early as next season.

With Brighton’s ability to recognize young potential among the greatest in the world, Charlton confronts a huge challenge in keeping the youngster at the club.

The Addicks are under contract until the summer of 2028, so they have a relatively strong negotiating position, and if they do sell, they will likely maximize the money they receive while also include a large sell-on provision.

It’s unclear whether a deal will be completed this month, but Brighton does not appear to be given up just yet.