Chief executive Steve Waggott's presence among the Charlton party that flew to Spain on Monday heightened speculation that central defender Madjid Bougherra is to be sold to Real Betis in a £2million deal.

The Charlton squad is based at Jerez for eight days, close to Seville-based Betis where Waggott is expected to finalise the deal for the 25-year-old Algerian international who cost £2.5million when he joined the Addicks from Sheffield Wednesday in January, 2007.

Last season, Bougherra made 29 starts for the club, scoring two goals.

If the deal is completed, he will follow strikers Marcus Bent and Chris Iwelumo out of The Valley. Bent joined Championship rivals Cardiff City in a deal worth just over £1 million while Iwelumo signed for Wolves on Monday for £400,000, having joined Charlton on a free transfer from Colchester last May.

Meanwhile, Charlton have confirmed that La Liga side Athletico Bilbao will provide the opposition for the club's only pre-season friendly at The Valley on Saturday, August 2.