Ian Evatt has revealed that Wanderers were close to an “ambitious” free agent signing but eventually lost out to a club abroad.

Evatt had been hoping to add to his squad and left a space free in the quota submitted to the EFL last week.

The Bolton boss says the club remains “open” to further business if the right player becomes available.

“The only thing I can say, I try to be as open and honest as I can be, we were very close and had a medical booked for a player until he received a very large bid from abroad, which kind of blew us out the water,” Evatt told The Bolton News.

“Sometimes you have to understand the food chain and take your medicine a little bit. It was ambitious, we almost got there. We almost had it done but at the last hurdle, it fell through.

“We are still open, we have obviously got that one place available (in the squad quota) and if the right thing or free transfer becomes available, we will look at it.”

Meanwhile, Evatt hailed Scott Arfield’s impact off the pitch since arriving at Wanderers in the summer.

The versatile midfielder has made five appearances for the Whites so far, with three of those coming from the start.

Evatt felt it was important to add experience to the squad this season and insists Arfield still has a “burning desire” to make an impact on the field.

The Wanderers chief also revealed that Cameron Jerome was back at the club on Thursday to watch training.

“Scott is still a very good footballer, he is infectious with the work he does on and off the pitch,” Evatt added.

“We wanted a character who has been there and done it and could guide the players.

“We had Cam come to visit us again today, it is great to have him in. He still wants to dip in, help the players and be another pair of lenses for me to look through and lean on.

“It has been great to have these senior players to speak to and see what they think.

“Scotty is a huge part of that but he still has a burning desire to play regularly and help this team. I think he will help us.”