Several Championship Clubs Battling It Out For Bolton Wanderers Striker
Stoke City and Watford are just two of numerous Championship clubs battling it out for prolific Bolton Wanderers frontman Dion Charles, according to TeamTalk.
The Northern Ireland international was the Trotters’ top goalscorer last season as Ian Evatt’s side reached the League One playoff semifinals, unfortunately losing to Barnsley over two legs.
Charles started the 2023/24 campaign the same as last term, bagging twice in an enthralling 3-0 win over Cheltenham Town on Saturday, but several Championship clubs are now looking to poach the poacher before the transfer window slams shut in little over two weeks.
TeamTalk are claiming that Watford have listed Charles as a primary target as Valerian Ismael looks to bolster his forward line, while Alex Neil is hoping to come out on top and secure the 27-year-old’s signature.
The outlet have also revealed that Bolton are not looking to sell Charles, who has two years remaining on his current deal, but will listen to offers from any Championship outfits.
Evatt’s comments on Charles
Speaking in an interview at the end of July, head coach Evatt heaped praise on the Irishman and listed him as a key player behind the team’s push for promotion to England’s second-tier this season [quotes via the Belfast Telegraph]:
“I think he can improve on those figures, absolutely. There is always room for improvement.
“Dion scored 20 goals last season but he’s hungry for more. He gets opportunities and we will always back him to take them.
“There are still parts of his game that he can polish. In particular, the way he connects and combines with people. Reliability with possession is another thing, but he’s a handful and a threat to defenders.
Writer’s View
Losing Charles will be a big blow for Bolton Wanderers should a move to one of the Championship suitors come to fruition, hence why the club are hesitant to sell currently.
His 21 goals will be hard to replace, especially this late in the transfer window, but it’s no surprise that clubs from the second division are vying for his services given the quality that Charles would bring up top.
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George Thomason has told Bolton Wanderers that he does not want to leave for Bristol City, despite a £1m offer being made.
It was reported on Saturday that the Robins had submitted an offer to Bolton, and the talk from them was that it would be discussed over the next 24-48 hours, and now a decision has been made by the player who had the final say. The 22-year-old is to remain with the League One club, despite strong interest from City.
Thomason despite the ongoing transfer speculation came on as a substitute in Bolton’s win over Cheltenham Town, and has so far played in all three of their matches so far this season. He will now be focused for Bolton’s match with Fleetwood Town on Tuesday night.
“From the minute we made him aware of the offer, George never expressed a desire to leave the football club,” said Evatt to Bolton’s official club website.
“He loves being here and loves that we’ve shown him faith and loyalty from day one and given him his big chance in football and that means something to him.
“Finding a young man with that attitude is a real rarity so that should be celebrated. He’s committing his future to this football club and we’re really proud of him and proud of that decision.”
Evatt added: “It’s a marker for us to say that we’re on the right track and people are really bought into what we’re trying to do,
“We’re delighted and we can crack on now, knowing he’s a big part of our journey to come.”
Bristol City must now look to alternative targets, and have seen several names emerge in the media over the last week. Alex Scott’s £25m sale to AFC Bournemouth has seen speculation go into overdrive with clubs now aware that City have some money to spend.
It was reported last week that Cameron Brannagan was a potential target, and since then Oxford United manager Liam Manning has come out to say that the 27-year-old is committed to the U’s. Barnsley’s Callum Styles is another, though it is understood that he is not on City’s radar. Bristol City are however in talks with St Patrick’s Athletic over the possible signing of 18-year-old midfielder Adam Murphy.
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