Five Players Bolton Wanderers Should Target in the Transfer Market

Many considered Wanderers as title favorites, but a combination of injuries and a sense of complacency, as highlighted by Bolton’s right wing-back Josh Dacres-Cogley, led to their downfall in the latter half of the season.

These injuries exposed areas of the squad that lacked sufficient quality in depth to sustain a serious push for the title or automatic promotion.

We’ve identified five potential summer targets for Bolton to address some of the issues in Ian Evatt’s squad for the upcoming season. While the recruitment by Chris Markham and Evatt hasn’t always been straightforward, their success rate has remained remarkably high. Therefore, we’ll attempt to delve into the minds of Bolton’s transfer strategists to suggest potential solutions.

1Ryan Strain

Last summer, Bolton Wanderers were strongly linked to a potential deal for Derby County wing-back Kane Wilson, reportedly close to completion for a fee of £200,000, despite already securing Dacres-Cogley on a free transfer.

However, the deal for Wilson fell through, and there were subsequent indications that League One clubs were eyeing St. Mirren and Australian international defender Ryan Strain, with Bolton likely among them.

Despite the interest, no deal materialized, and Bolton had to wait until January to address their need for competition for Dacres-Cogley, securing the loan signing of Calvin Ramsay from Liverpool. However, Ramsay failed to make a significant impact, so it’s likely that Bolton will once again prioritize the acquisition of another right-back.

Considering Bolton’s previous interest in Strain, who has continued to perform well in Scotland, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them pursue the 27-year-old once more, particularly as he is set to become a free agent this summer.

2Nicky Cadden

Another player whose contract is set to expire this summer is Barnsley wing-back Nicky Cadden. While Bolton has benefited from the contributions of Dacres-Cogley on the right and Randell Williams, when he’s been available, and Nathanael Ogbeta and Zac Ashworth have shown flashes of quality on the left, there’s still room for improvement.

Bolton’s style heavily relies on exploiting the flanks, and despite the opportunities for wing-backs to contribute in attack, their offensive numbers have been somewhat disappointing. Therefore, strengthening the left-hand side should also be a priority. Cadden, who will turn 28 in September, fits the profile well. Although his recent performance has seen a slight decline, evidenced by his modest two goals in League One, his peak level suggests that securing him would be a significant boost for Bolton. Additionally, given his previous success, particularly scoring against Bolton in last season’s play-offs, acquiring him would be considered quite a coup.

The Tykes are facing numerous challenges as they prepare for their League One playoff campaign, particularly in the search for a replacement for Neill Collins.

3Keanu Baccus

Another potential deal that failed to materialize last summer involved Australian international midfielder Keanu Baccus. Reports suggested that Bolton had reached an agreement with St Mirren for a transfer fee of £275,000 for Baccus. However, the deal fell through during negotiations over personal terms, a point that Baccus himself has cited, feeling he wasn’t sufficiently valued.

At 25 years old, Baccus, who represented Australia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and has earned 18 caps for his country, would bring significant tenacity to the Wanderers midfield. While Bolton’s midfield is adept at controlling possession, it often lacks the necessary physicality or, conversely, tactical awareness and discipline.

With Baccus set to become a free agent this summer, there will likely be no shortage of clubs vying for his signature. Nevertheless, Bolton might consider revisiting their interest in him.

4Paris Maghoma

Bolton must prioritize securing the signing of Paris Maghoma once more. The 22-year-old arrived on loan from Brentford last summer, and despite a start hampered by injuries, he has become a crucial figure in Bolton’s quest for promotion this season.

The challenge lies in the fact that if Wanderers remain in the third tier next year, it’s highly unlikely that this talented midfielder, who appears destined for the Premier League and excels in various midfield roles, would be willing to play in League One again.

Bolton has experienced disappointment in the past when successful loan spells ended after 12 or 18 months, as seen with James Trafford and Conor Bradley. Moreover, with Thomas Frank recently praising Maghoma’s promising potential, orchestrating his return could prove to be difficult. Nonetheless, Ian Evatt has expressed his desire to see Maghoma, who earned the title of Bolton’s Young Player of the Year, back at the Toughsheet Community Stadium next season.

5Sveinn Aron Gudjohnsen

This suggestion might seem unconventional and even somewhat imaginative. However, the son of Eidur Gudjohnsen, who had two stints at Bolton throughout his career, could potentially represent the type of hidden gem that Bolton is seeking from overseas. With both Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Cameron Jerome’s contracts expiring and ongoing speculation surrounding Dion Charles’s future at the club, Bolton is in need of reinforcements in their attack.

Evatt has repeatedly mentioned, including just a few weeks ago, that Bolton will be and have been looking into the international market for the upcoming summer transfer window. Chris Markham’s ties to Germany, demonstrated by the signings of Xavier Amaechi in 2021 and the pursuit of Florian Flick in 2023, along with his previous tenure at Huddersfield Town in the mid-to-late 2010s, indicate a potential move for promising talents from the 2. Bundesliga. This league, where Dapo Afolayan is poised to secure the title after joining St. Pauli from Bolton in January 2023, could be a viable option for recruitment this summer.

Sveinn Gudjohnsen, who joined Hansa Rostock from Elfsborg last summer during the winter window, has struggled to make a significant impact. Therefore, a departure, either on loan or permanently, wouldn’t be surprising—especially considering the sentimental connection to his father’s legacy at Bolton.