Shrewsbury Town target Lee Novak is wanted
Shrewsbury Town face more competition if they want to sign Lee Novak as League One rivals stepped up their interest.
It's understood Charlton held talks with the free agent on Monday, as they look to make their first major breakthrough in the summer transfer window.
Southend are also believed to be very keen on boosting their firepower with the 27-year-old while Chesterfield, where he scored 15 goals last season, would like to sign him.
The forward will be a free agent on July 1 when his contract with Birmingham City ends and is attracting interest from a number of top clubs in League One.
And it's understood Novak met the Addicks yesterday to discuss a switch to South London.
The talk on the football grapevine is that Charlton, newly relegated from the Championship, could be 'next season's Wigan.'
They will be among the biggest spenders in the third tier as they bid for promotion at the first time of asking.
New Charlton boss Russell Slade has already revealed his budget will be in the top six in the division.
It's understood it could be among the leading three, arming them with spending power which is beyond Shrewsbury's means.
Slade has been linked with a move for Alex Revell, who he took to Cardiff, but it's understood Novak is his first choice.
Novak has also spoken to Portsmouth, one of League Two's big-spenders, but he is not keen on dropping to the fourth level.
Some sources claim he may have priced himself out of a move to the South Coast. Novak spent last season on loan at Chesterfield and finished with 15 goals.
Town boss Micky Mellon has signed Port Vale attackers Louis Dodds and AJ Leitch-Smit, but is looking to boost his striking options.
He's lost 12-goal top scorer Sullay Kaikai back to Crystal Palace and Kyle Vassell to Peterborough and released Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro and Scott Vernon.
Strikers James Collins and Tyrone Barnett are due to return from loans, but were out of favour before they left the Greenhous Meadow.
