In 2022 Charleroi sold Vakoun Bayo to Watford for around €5.8m. Remarkably, the Ivorian striker is the last player to hit double figures for the club. This season it looks like no one will get close to 10 goals, with Parfait Guiagon the leading scorer on five. Bayo left the club having scored a quickfire 11 goals in just 16 games. He replaced Shamar Nicholson in the January of the 2021/2022 season, with the Jamaican forward having grabbed 13 goals in 18 league games and moved to Spartak Moscow.
At least Guiagon may exceed the top scorer of last season, which was Daan Heymans with six in 33. Without a consistent goal scorer this campaign, the side have been embroiled in a relegation scrap. It appears that their 1-0 win, thanks to Guiagon, against Westerlo will keep them safe for one more season. But after another season without finding the right man, this summer is crucial.
During the 2023 summer transfer window, the side invested in three forwards. Oday Dabbagh joined from Arouca, Youssouph Badji made his switch from Club Brugge permanent and Youssuf Sylla came over from Zulte Waregem. Of those, Dabbagh is the most successful with four league goals in 20 appearances. Sylla has scored two, while Badji has yet to score in the league this season. Last year, the 22-year-old Senegalese managed five goals in 38 games.
For a club that was finishing in qualification spots for European football a few seasons ago, this fall has been quick, and if they are not careful another poor summer could see them have another relegation battling year next time out. Finding the next Bayo should be the sides number one priority in the summer.
