NEIL Lennon wants Wanderers to pull out all the stops in order to keep Adam Bogdan at the Macron Stadium.
The Hungary international is out of contract in the summer and had been tipped to move to Germany’s Bundesliga, where a handful of clubs have been monitoring him closely.
But Lennon is now targeting Bogdan as his first choice next season and is aiming to convince him to stay after returning to the first team in Monday’s 3-0 win at Cardiff City.
“It was a big comeback for me,” he told The Bolton News. “I want him here, I think he’s an outstanding goalkeeper.
“I’m going to do everything in my power to have him here next season.
“He’s played three times for me and we’ve kept three clean sheets, and that’s no coincidence.”
Keeping Bogdan at Wanderers will not be cheap as the 26-year-old is unlikely to accept lower terms than the deal he signed in the Premier League three years ago.
Securing his services would be a major statement from the club, however, having lost so many players on a free in recent seasons.
Bogdan is currently the longest-serving first-team player on the books and has been tutored from his teens by goalkeeping coaches like Fred Barber, Phil Hughes and Lee Turner.
Lennon’s declaration almost certainly puts an end to Andy Lonergan’s chances of an extended deal.
The 31-year-old was in the box seat for a new deal at the turn of the year but fell out of favour after the 4-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest, in which he suffered a concussion.
He failed to regain his place from emergency cover keeper Ben Amos – who has now returned to Manchester United and could be a fall-back if talks with Bogdan do not go according to plan.
While the Manchester United keeper impressed during his stint with the Whites and is available on a free transfer this summer, it is understood his salary is too high to be brought in alongside Bogdan.
But he endeared himself to the club’s support with a farewell tweet on Monday night after the victory in Cardiff.
“What a win for BWFC today! Really enjoyed my time there, it’s a club ready to kick on now and challenge in the years to come,” he wrote.
“Thanks to the fans and everyone who made my time at the club so enjoyable, much appreciated!”
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