Charlton Athletic will struggle to hang on to star striker Lyle Taylor - who has reportedly been on Nottingham Forest’s radar - according to boss Lee Bowyer.
The Reds were among a number of clubs linked with a January move for the 30-year-old, along with Championship rivals Brentford and Bristol City.
Taylor has scored 11 goals in 22 appearances this season, with Bowyer hailing him as among the top five forwards in the second tier.
The Addicks manager says the club could have sold him during the winter transfer window, but accepts he may well move on this summer.
“To try to keep him at the club is going to be tough,” he told Sky Sports.
“He’s so big for us and I was thankful to the owners that they didn’t sell him in January, because they could have.
“They could have sold him in January, but they didn’t.
“Are we going to be able to replace him next season if he goes? I don’t think we will. Not with the budget we have.
“Lyle, for me, is up there as definitely one of the top five strikers in this division, for sure.
“We won’t be able to replace him, with what we pay. No chance.”
