VINCENT Candela might have said "no" to a new Reebok deal but he has given his fellow Frenchman, Olivier Dacourt, a glowing reference on life with the Wanderers.
World Cup winner Candela could have tipped the balance in Sam Allardyce's favour as Dacourt considers his options after being told he can leave AS Roma for a fee in the region of £700,000.
The Wanderers boss has confirmed his interest in the former France international, who previously played in the Premiership with Everton and Leeds United and more recently played in the same Roma team as Candela, and has held talks with the player's representatives.
Dacourt has had other offers but Peter Harrison, who is working with his agent Bruno Satin, says he is "very interested in the Bolton situation".
"Olivier has spoken to various French players who have been at Bolton - particularly Candela - who have said nice things about the club," he said.
"The fact that they are in Europe now is also tempting bigger players. We're still talking and, hopefully, something will develop soon."
Allardyce has voiced his frustration after a succession of failed attempts to strengthen his squad further since securing El-Hadji Diouf on a four-yar deal earlier this month, but he is believed to be close to sealing a number of deals.
He is keen on the Croatian international defender, Igor Tudor, who has been told he can leave Juventus, and is a frontrunner in the race to sign the Oman international goalkeeper, Ali Al-Habsi, from the Norwegian club, Lyn. He is also working on a deal with Lens that would see Senegal midfielder, Abdoulaye Faye, join Wanderers on loan while unconfirmed reports suggest he has made a dramatic bid to take Arsenal's French starlet, Jeremie Aliadiere, on loan, despite Celtic having agreed a deal with the Gunners.
Harrison says Wanderers's growing reputation in Europe is helping them attract a better class of player.
"No disrespect to Bolton but three or four years ago deals like this would not have been possible," he said. "But they have a good name in Europe now.
"That's obviously to do with the success the players have had on the pitch but it also has a lot to do with Sam Allardyce, who has raised the profile of the club."
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