WANDERERS could be due an unexpected windfall if Rob Holding gets a permanent move away from Arsenal today.

Crystal Palace are said to be at the front of a queue of clubs, at home and abroad, who are interested in signing the former Bolton defender before tonight’s 11pm deadline.

Holding moved to Arsenal in the summer of 2016 in a deal worth just over £2million – a fee which proved controversial at the time.

The youngster had just broken into England’s Under-21s, then managed by Gareth Southgate, and had been voted Bolton’s player of the year by readers of The Bolton News.

Wanderers courted further controversy 12 months later when they cashed in on a clause which guaranteed them a pay-out based on league and international appearances.

The club retained a sell-on clause, however, which is triggered if Arsenal receive money above and beyond the fee they paid to the Whites.

Speaking at the time owner/chairman Ken Anderson said: "The money for Rob Holding's appearances could have taken one year to come through. 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."

The club confirmed to The Bolton News in 2021 that the clause was still active despite the change of ownership when Holding was being linked with a big-money move to Newcastle United.

But it was also warned at the time that - contrary to the previous chairman's words - the sell-on fee was not an extensive one.

The 27-year-old is contracted to Arsenal until 2025 but Bolton would not receive money if that contract is either mutually terminated, or if he heads out on loan.

Holding is of interest to Palace, with manager Roy Hodgson confirming this morning: “If he was available and it was a deal that was doable for the club, I can only say that I would be very happy to welcome him here. That's something that Doug [Freedman] and Steve [Parish] are dealing with."

Former Wanderers boss Freedman could now hold the keys on whether a deal is done, and at what price.

Arsenal are reported to have turned down an offer of £2million from Turkish club Fenerbahce in the summer but Spanish sides Mallorca and Sevilla are also interested, alongside recently-promoted Luton Town.