THE hands on the office clock may move a little slower for Ian Evatt as the minutes tick down to deadline and a chance to concentrate completely on the task at hand.

There have been times in the last few months where Wanderers’ transfer policy has been openly questioned but as the club step into the last 24 hours of the summer window, they look fully stocked in just about every possible position.

After a fragmented start, which began with the arrivals of Chris Forino, Luke Southwood, Klaidi Lolos and Scott Arfield, business seemed to hang motionless for an eternity until restarting in style with the quickfire captures of Szabolcs Schön, John McAtee, Jordi Osei-Tutu and Jay Matete.

Player sales were a genuine concern for some in the aftermath of last season’s play-off final, for others more of a financial practicality. But the ownership group have thus far decided against any major exits to balance the books, giving Evatt what is probably the strongest overall squad he has had in four years in charge.

For the last few weeks there has been little sign of that changing for Bolton. There have been the ever-present reports of interest from Turkish clubs in striker Victor Adeboyejo – a factor which will not completely disappear at 11pm on Friday night as their window continues to September 13 – and there have also been a few vague Championship links involving Nathan Baxter which have amounted to nothing, so far.

Since the weekend, however, the clandestine chatter has intensified, and Evatt himself has admitted that the club has been contacted about some of their top talents, which we understand included a seven-figure bid.

Asked if more players could move out before Friday night, the manager said after the final whistle at Shrewsbury: “That is absolutely possible, and obviously we are going to protect our best players.

“We have had some calls about them as well. It could be a busy few days, it might be very quiet.

“I can’t really give any predictions at the moment because anything can happen in football, as we know.”

Dion Charles remains the subject of most speculation. Now back to something like full fitness, and with two goals already to his name, there is little doubt he would already be on the shortlist of any Championship club looking to bolster their strike-force at the last moment.

Links with Watford, Stoke and Portsmouth have come to nothing in the last 12 months, and Wanderers fans will be hoping that continues to be the case once we hit the weekend.

George Thomason turned down a £1million move to Bristol City 12 months ago and turned himself into a bona fide first team regular for the Whites. His game has progressed as a result – and that fact has also not been lost on the division above.

Wanderers have worked the transfer market over the last few seasons to target players in the January window who may be coming out of contract and available for a lower fee, rather than to risk greater competition as a free agent a few months later.

This time the boot could be on the other foot. Though Evatt has said contracts will not be discussed for the time being as Bolton focus solely on their chase for an automatic promotion spot, the rest of the footballing world will have spotted that 10 first team players reach the end of their current deal in 2025. Nathan Baxter, Ricardo Santos, Josh Dacres-Cogley, Randell Williams, Josh Sheehan, Gethin Jones, Joel Coleman, Jack Iredale, Luke Matheson and Luke Hutchinson all fall into that category and could theoretically leave for nothing at the end of the current campaign.

The other factor which could influence deadline business at Wanderers is the 22-man squad which must be handed in to the EFL next month. Goalkeepers and Under-21s are excluded from the quota but with Carlos Mendes Gomes now close to a return and pencilled in to be part of the registered squad, some decisions need to be made.

Dan Nlundulu's absence from the team-sheet in the last few weeks speaks volumes and it is understood there has been loan interest from a fellow League One club.

At least one other player is also being considered for a loan, which could then free-up some space for an incoming deal. 

It is not yet known whether Luke Matheson will be included in the first team squad or whether he will continue in the B Team, or whether Will Forrester's current injury issues will freeze him out for the time being.

Wanderers maintain an interest in at least one out-of-contract player too, which means the transfer activity might not end completely at 11pm.

In the short-term, maintaining the status quo on deadline day would be regarded as success for Evatt and Chris Markham, and attention can then be fully directed towards on-the-pitch matters, starting with Exeter City’s visit on Saturday.

 

 

After a pleasing performance in the Carabao Cup at Shrewsbury Town was rewarded with a lucrative third round tie at Arsenal, Wanderers will be looking to make their week even sweeter by adding a league win to the list.

The success or failures of the club’s recruitment in the summer window will be better judged in the months to come – but both the manager and the supporters could do without any late surprises on the final day of business.