ADDICKS chief Alan Pardew says Zheng Zhi may become latest big name to quit The Valley as the credit crunch hits SE7.

West Brom are keen to land the Chinese star after missing out last week on fellow Addick Madjid Bougherra, who instead opted to join Glasgow Rangers.

For Charlton the main priority remains balancing the books and Pardew underlined the seriousness of the situation by hinting the club's long-term security is dependent on player sales.

He said: "There is the possibility Zheng Zhi might be going. There is a substantial bid on the table and I think the board are contemplating that.

"There are one or two clubs who have expressed an interest in Zheng Zhi and I don't think it is fair on us or the clubs to name them. There are some decisions I'm afraid I can't dictate and one of those decisions is the finance they need to keep this club's head above water.

"I'm never going to interfere with that because it is the club which has to survive, not me as a manager or any individual player.

"The bottom line is the security of this club and if they say these players have to go for the security of this club, then they have to go."

Pardew conceded he had been surprised when told the financial constraints he would be operating under this season, but added the future on the pitch is still bright despite the sales.

He explained: "I have to say the agenda is tough. The financial restraints which have been imposed somewhat surprisingly on me are going to make it tough.

"But there is no less ambition from myself or my staff or the players. We all aim for the top spot and hopefully we will fall somewhere near it, hopefully in the first three.

"We are a little bit under financed in the credit crisis and are a little bit more careful here.

"I have no problem with that. It is the agenda I've got to manage and there is no less ambition from myself because I still think we will do very well."

Pardew added: "I was asked to bring in £5m and chop about £3m off the wage bill plus £400,000 off my staff bill.

"That is a tough call but is not a situation which daunts me and I'm looking forward to the season.

"I thought Jonjo and the young players like Wagstaff, Youga and Basey all did well against Athletic Bilbao. We are lucky we have them because without that underbelly, we would probably not be facing as ambitious a season because I look at the other sides and don't see a lot in it.

"We will give it a good old go, try and do a bit of business between now and the end of the window and I think we probably need to be judged at the end of September exactly where we are."

Some good news for Charlton fans is the fact Pardew is confident of having at least one fresh face in by the time the Addicks kick-off the season against Swansea on Saturday.

Portsmouth defender Martin Crainie has been strongly linked with a move to SE7 and the manager confirmed the Addicks were interested.

"He is a player we have made a phone call about," added Pards.

"It is a situation I'm not going to elaborate on because it's Portsmouth's decision what they want to do."