According to the Express, Charlton Athletic are interested in signing 22-year-old Hungarian international Mihaly Kata.
Kata is now playing football in Hungary for MTK Budapest, where he has made 147 appearances in all competitions. His achievements in the Hungarian league have piqued the interest of national team boss Marco Rossi, and he has made his debut for Hungary, coming off the bench against Serbia in European Qualifiers. He has since made two more substitute appearances for his country and is a member of Hungary’s 2024 Euro team.
Kata has also sparked interest in England, with Premier League club Southampton and League One club Charlton all interested in the 22-year-old. However, the Saints’ interest in the player appears to have stopped, as the club was promoted back to the Premier League at the first attempt.
The Addicks are hoping to add more midfield depth to their team, having let players like Jack Payne, George Dobson, and Conor McGrandles go in this transfer window to pursue other opportunities. However, the South-East London club has already added midfield depth in the transfer window, with Greg Docherty signing from Hull City and Luke Berry joining boss Nathan Jones after being released from Luton Town. Berry and Docherty join a strong midfield that also includes Conor Coventry, Karoy Anderson, and Scott Fraser in Jones’ 2024/25 team.
This isn’t the first time Charlton has been linked to Hungarian football, with the aforementioned ex-Charlton captain Dobson almost completing a move to MTK Budapest’s rivals Fehervar, and ex-defender Terell Thomas garnering interest from Fehervar at one point, according to Pete O’Rouke. Dobson’s deal fell through at the last minute, and Thomas signed League Two club Carlisle United.
According to the Express, MTK Budapest has received proposals for Kata from several clubs this summer, but none have matched the club’s valuation for the 22-year-old.
Manager Jones appears to believe that additional midfielders are required for the next League One season. Given the league’s strength, the Addicks will need to bring in as many players as possible if they want to compete for promotion. Charlton has new owners, SE7 Partners, led by former Sunderland executive director Charlie Methven. Jones has undoubtedly received financial support from Methven, as evidenced by the signings of Josh Edwards, Alex Mitchell, Matty Godden, and Gassan Ahadme, all of whom have gone to The Valley for unknown sums.
From Kata’s standpoint, leaving his local club may be difficult; yet, a move to England could be the next step forward in his career. Although it is to a third-tier club, the strength of the English football pyramid, combined with the fact that many Championship and League One players have had opportunities to prove themselves in the Premier League on a much larger stage, could be enough to entice the 22-year-old away from his home country.
