CHARLTON are closing in on the Argentinean league's leading goalscorer Lisandro Lopez, according to the player's agent.

Fernando Hidalgo claims the Addicks are about to make an offer for the 21-year-old, who has scored 11 goals in 17 games for Racing Club in the Torneo Apertura.

Hidalgo said: "They (Charlton) are closely following his performances because they want to sign him by the end of the year. They haven’t made an official offer yet, but that should arrive in the next few hours."

Addicks boss Alan Curbishley has £3m remaining from his £11m summer transfer kitty to spend during the January transfer window.

And Lopez, who is also attracting interest from Ukrainian sides Dynamo Kiev and Shakhtar Donetsk, as well as Brazilian outfit Corinthians, is valued at around that price.

Racing chairman Fernando Marin admitted there had been interest in Lopez from two European clubs. He named Shakhtar, but did not say whether Charlton were the other side.

The Addicks have found goals hard to get this season with Finnish international Jonatan Johansson their leading league marksman with three.

They attempted to increase their attacking options in the summer by paying Arsenal £2.6m for striker Francis Jeffers.

But the former England international has only made four league starts this season and has not scored since his double in the 3-0 win over Aston Villa in August.