WANDERERS are keeping their options open in the final fortnight of the transfer window.
Ian Evatt has brought eight new players to the club this summer and has not completely ruled out the possibility that more could follow if some of the targets he has pursued in the last few months are still available close to deadline.
Premier League loan options have been considered, and that is another avenue open to the club depending on what happens over the next couple of weeks.
Evatt, whose side face promotion rivals Wrexham at the Toughsheet on Sunday afternoon (3pm kick-off), says Wanderers would be ready to move on the right player at short notice.
“We have to be fluid,” he told The Bolton News. “There are one or two that we are keeping a very close eye on but at the moment they look just out of reach for us because they want to play higher and have played higher in the past.
“But you never know in football, the thing you expect to happen may not materialise, a move may break down, and then all of a sudden, we are at the front of the queue and most be ready to take action. And we will be ready.
“For now, I feel like we are okay. We have to keep an eye on what is happening with our players and every single game I get a list of the Championship scouts coming to watch us every week, and I don’t think they are doing it for the good of their own health.
“We will remain fluid and see what happens now in the remainder of the window.”
Evatt has swatted away speculation linking Nathan Baxter with Plymouth Argyle and says it would take exceptional offers to prise any other players away before September.
He feels comfortable, however, that the club is on a solid financial footing and able to dictate what terms would be acceptable if any interest were to materialise.
“Every player at this football club has a valuation but we are in an extremely strong position to be making our own decisions,” the manager said. “We are not forced to do anything.
“That’s all I’ll say. We know what the market value of every single one of our players is, and we will be sticking to it regardless.”
Wanderers have lost the services of Will Forrester for at least three months after the defender slipped on a flight of stairs and damaged two of his toes, which ultimately required emergency surgery.
The former Port Vale man may only be available towards the back end of the year but Evatt believes he currently has enough defensive options to cope without having to dip back into the transfer market.
He said: “These things happen and we have still got Chris Forino, George Johnston, Ricardo Santos, Jack Iredale, Gethin Jones is back in a week or so, and Josh Dacres-Cogley can play there as well as you saw the other day. I think we have cover so I don’t think for the moment that we need to worry.”
Meanwhile, Wanderers have been drawn away against League One rivals Shrewsbury Town in the second round of the Carabao Cup. The game will take place in the week commencing August 26.
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