[ad_pod ]

According to The Evening Standard, an unnamed former banker has offered Charlton £30m to take over the club from Roland Dutchatelet, whose reign at The Valley has been a catastrophic one.

What's the word?

Well, The Evening Standard reports that the anonymous bidder has experience in top-level football and, having already held meetings with Addicks high-ups, is waiting for a response.

The Evening Standard also understands that proof of funds has been provided and that the proposition is a far more attractive one than those made by the five other parties discussed in January.

A source has said that "the ball is very much in Charlton’s court and we will see how serious they are about selling.”

Dutchalet's demise?

Belgian businessman Dutchatelet has been in ownership of the Addicks since he purchased the club in 2017 for a fee of £17m - a deal he stands to make a profit on if The Evening Standard is correct.

Such is the fans' dislike for Dutchatelet, a group of the Addicks faithful have set up the 'Coalition Against Roland Dutchatelet' amid the Belgian's attempts to cut costs; Charlton have been losing around £10m per year.

The fans aren't the only ones who want the club out of the 72-year-old's hands - the man himself, in his desperation to be rid of the club, had proposed that the EFL purchase the South East London outfit, although that was turned down.

Charlton currently sit fifth in the League One standings, with a crucial clash with Portsmouth coming up this weekend. Lee Bowyer has done a fantastic job since being appointed manager on a permanent basis in September 2018, although he can be forgiven should he be unable to drive the Addicks up the divisions himself.

One of English football's lesser known rivalries was reignited on Saturday thanks to an unlikely source. Check out the video above to find out which one...

The mystery investor, though, reportedly has plans for the club and is keen to restore it to former glory.