WANDERERS would benefit if Rob Holding was tempted away from Arsenal before the end of the transfer window.

The Bolton News understands that there is still a form of sell-on clause in the defender’s contract at the Emirates which would entitle the Whites to a percentage of the profit if he was sold on.

Newcastle United have been linked with a £20million move – although sources in North London have played down the chances of Holding leaving this summer.

Wanderers cashed in on appearances clauses which were inserted into Holding’s contract when he left the North West for £2.5million in July 2016.

Former chairman, Ken Anderson explained at the time: "The money for Rob Holding's appearances could have taken one year to come through," Anderson said. "If he isn't playing, it could have taken 10 years.

"It's unlikely to be 10 but it could have been four or five years.

"I took the view that it was better to reach an agreement with Arsenal and bring that forward, do a slight discount on that, and they did.

"There are still monies due from Arsenal and if they sell him we are due a substantial sell-on, but I'm not allowed to go into it because the clubs signed a confidentiality agreement."

Rumours had spread that the sell-on fee had also been bought-out by the Gunners but we have learned Wanderers will benefit from a cash deal.

Holding’s place in the Arsenal side could come under pressure this season with the signing of England international Ben White from Brighton.

Mikel Arteta secured the 25-year-old to a new contract earlier this year which keeps him with Arsenal until 2024, and has said he remains a big part of his plans.

"We value him [Holding] very much and I think now people understand the importance that he has on the team and at the club," the Gunners boss said in February.

"I think he is happy at the club as well, so it is a good thing. I think his leadership has improved so much because he feels a very important part of the team.

"He is very respected, because he has earned that respect with the way he is as a human being, how much he looks after the other people and after how he is performing. It is a natural evolution for him and I am really happy with the way he’s performing.”

Holding broke into Wanderers’ first team at the start of the 2015/16 campaign after coming through the club’s academy and played 30 games in all competitions, scoring once, against MK Dons.

After winning Bolton’s player of the year award he then went to the Toulon Tournament with England’s Under-21s, then managed by Gareth Southgate.

He was pulled out of Wanderers’ final game of the season at Fulham after Arsenal put in an opening bid for his services, joining them several weeks later for a bargain £2.5m fee.