CHRIS Powell accepts it is just a fact of football life players could potentially depart this month, pointing out only Chelsea and Man City don't have anything to fear during the transfer window.

Two Sunday tabloids last week reported Charlton were on the market for £40 million and all of Powell's playing staff are up for sale.

Chairman Michael Slater dismissed the £40m takeover claims in the club’s official programme for Saturday’s 1-0 Valley defeat against Middlesbrough, although he did concede the current owners are always willing to listen to what potential investors have to say.

Mr Slater’s programme notes didn’t address the suggestion everyone was now up for sale, but the manager admits all players have a price.

Powell said: “I think everyone is up for sale at every football club bar Chelsea and Man City.

“Everyone is available if they put the money down.

“I’m not saying that’s what I want to happen here but you can’t stop people bidding for your players if they’re interested.

“That story has come out, the chairman has addressed it.

“I can’t because it has got nothing to do with me, I’ve just got to get my squad ready for training and for games.”

When asked if he does anticipate losing any personnel before the window closes, Powell replied: “Crystal ball time. I think it happens with any manager that someone can come in for your players at any time.

“You can plan but if someone comes in and they bid money that would entice a player and a club to sell then that is different, but it is always a fact of managerial life that anyone can come in for your players at any time during the transfer window.

“Of course come September 2 this year, once that is out of the way and if no-one is gone then obviously most managers are happy, or happier.

“It is something you have to live with because if players want to progress you don’t want to stand in the way of progression, but of course you want to progress yourself and keep your best players at your football club.”

Despite the unwanted possibility of players moving on this month, Powell also reiterated his determination to strengthen the squad and remains confident he will be able to do so.

The SE7 boss said: “It was only on August 1 I managed to get two strikers in to help us out in that department but I still feel we need to add a bit more Championship quality and know-how to the side and to the squad.

“I’ll do my best to do that.

“It won’t be easy because of the current climate and financially it won’t be easy for us but that’s what I’ve got to do.

“Last year we were new to the league.

“There was an excitement and exuberance about the team, which is still there because this is a very competitive and good league, but I still feel we need that touch more physicality and touch more class at times, maybe someone putting their foot on the ball when it is all going a bit up and down.

“I’m hopeful we can get maybe someone or some people and players into the club to just add to what we already have.”

One player Charlton have already expressed an interest in is Tottenham striker Jon Obika, but Powell had no further progress on that target to report after the Boro loss.

The Addicks manager said: “We are going to be forever linked with him until he comes here or goes elsewhere.

“Obviously Spurs have got bigger fish to fry they feel at the moment, and we all know what that is.

“He is someone we’ve looked at and will continue to monitor but whether anything will change I’ll tell you when it happens, but there is nothing at the moment.”

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