Unless Colchester United make an announcement within the next 24 hours, defender Pat Baldwin will officially become a free agent.
The former Chelsea trainee defender has yet to officially agree terms on a new contract and his current deal expires tomorrow.
It has lead to fans questioning whether Colchester United have offered a competitive salary for the player and suggestion that London club Charlton could snap him up for nothing.
Manager Paul Lambert said earlier month that Baldwin`s offer was the “best” the club was prepared to offer and said the player was it mulling over.
Baldwin`s extension has been on the table some time, but a lack of moment in the current situation perhaps suggests his earlier keenness to stay has wavered over the last few months.
The link with Charlton inevitably comes as his former boss Phil Parkinson is in charge at the Valley and maybe looking for a new defender if Matt Hudson moves to Cardiff.
Baldwin won a player of the season award in 2004/5 under Parkinson`s stewardship and is sure to be first-choice partner to Paul Reid at the Weston Homes Community Stadium next season.
Will Baldwin sign?
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I hope he does sign. Was our best CB last season.
He is a good player, great even!
Well if he goes than I’m seriously going to be questioning Lambert’s transfer decisions.