League One Leicester City are set to battle with Championship side Charlton Athletic for the signing of a 31-year-old French forward.
The Foxes suffered back-to-back relegations last season, meaning just 10 years on from their historic Premier League title win, they will be competing in the English third tier.
In a bid to stop their downward spiral, they have hired former Southampton and Swansea City boss Russell Martin.
Martin isn’t taking his time in building the squad he wants, and despite being in League One, Leicester are still competing with Championship sides for signings.
One such player is 31-year-old forward Mikael Mandron, who Leicester and Charlton are both keen on.
Leicester City and Charlton Want Mikael Mandron
Pete O’Rourke shared on X that both the Foxes and the Addicks are considering a move for the forward, who is available on a free transfer.
Leicester and Charlton are among a number of clubs eyeing a move for striker Mikael Mandron on a free transfer.
Mandron enjoyed a brilliant season with St Mirren last term with 23 goal contributions. #cafc #LCFC #smfc pic.twitter.com/js3UZBCfHd— Pete O'Rourke (@SportsPeteO) July 3, 2026
The striker’s contract at St Mirren was set to expire this summer, with the Scottish side confirming they were in talks with him.
The latest piece of news from O’Rourke suggests that those talks failed, and the 31-year-old is now a free agent.
23-Goal Contributions Last Season
After several years up in Scotland, last season was certainly Mandron’s best in front of goal. The forward finished the season with 23 goal contributions in all competitions.
He ended the campaign with four goals and four assists in the Scottish Premiership, seven goals and three assists in the League Cup, two goals and one assist in the SFA Cup, one assist in the Premiership relegation split, and one assist in the Premiership play-offs.
His seven goals in the League Cup came in just eight games and included a brace against Motherwell in the semi-finals. Despite those two goals, he was a substitute for the final against Celtic but did come on in their historic 3-1 win.
Underwhelming Signature for Either Side
For both Leicester and Charlton fans, the news that they are being linked with Mandron will likely be underwhelming.
The Frenchman has scored 10+ goals in all competitions just five times in his career, with his best tally of 15 coming back in the 2016/17 season for Eastleigh in the National League.
With the deal only likely to be a free transfer, there’s less risk involved, meaning it could pay off for either side. However, it would be some test for the Frenchman, one that might be a level above him now.
