MOUNTING speculation linking Charlton with a multi-million pound summer spending spree has coincided with a sudden upsurge in season ticket renewals.

Two weeks after directors expressed concern at the poor take-up, numbers of soared and are now only marginally lower than at the same stage of the renewals process 12 months ago.

Charlton have confirmed interest in Valencia striker Bernado Corradi. Graham Sidwell (Reading), Sheffield United player of the year Phil Jagielka, Darren Bent (Ipswich), Danny Gabbidon (Cardiff) and West Ham youngster Mark Noble are believed to be high on manager Alan Curbishley’s hit-list.

Should Charlton placate dissatisfied supporters and beat arch rivals Crystal Palace in Sunday’s Premier League finale, the figure could jump again.

Charlton’s board of directors have further stimulated sales with the announcement of discounts.

Those who did not renew before May 5 – the date by which existing season ticket holders could save £50 off the June 5 price – can now claim a £25 discount if they renew between now and May 31.

Charlton chief executive Peter Varney said: "We are delighted that 16,115 season ticket holders have given their endorsement to our long-term plans for the club by choosing to renew by May 5, thus guaranteeing their existing seat and saving £50 against next season’s prices.

"However, the letters and e-mails received suggest that many who did not renew were not sure they had made the right decision. So the board have decided to offer those supporters an extra incentive of saving £25 by the end of the month, after which unclaimed seats will go on general sale."

Mr Varney confessed: "We accept the run-in to the end of the present campaign has not what any of us would want. But we could still end the season in 10th place in what is widely regarded as the best league in the world.

"We will be investing in the team during the summer and no manager has been more active in looking home and abroad for new players than Alan Curbishley. Both he and the chairman have a firm idea of what is needed."

Assistant manager Keith Peacock welcomed Sunday’s showdown with Palace who must win at The Valley to stand a chance of staving off relegation.

"Palace need to win – and so do we because we want to send our supporters away for the summer with smiles on their faces," he said.