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Wanderers won’t be getting involved in a summer auction for Adam Le Fondre – unless coffers are boosted this summer by outside investment.
Cardiff City boss Russell Slade has put a 'for sale' sign on the 28-year-old striker, who finished as the Whites’ top scorer this season with eight goals after a successful loan spell.
Fans are clamouring for him to return again next season but with the Bluebirds looking to recoup as much of the £3million they paid Reading for his services last summer, the deal currently looks a non-starter.
Wanderers would be open to a loan move – which would still come at a considerable cost in wages – but sources in South Wales claim Cardiff are determined to sell outright.
The only proviso would be if an outside party steps forward to put money into Wanderers.
Rumours have swirled around the Macron Stadium for weeks that chairman Phil Gartside has spoken to interested parties in Northern Ireland and Israel, who could be prepared to put money into the club, given the right circumstances.
Lennon is keen to see a successful conclusion but does not feel massive investment is necessary to get Wanderers moving in the right direction once again.
Confirming negotiations were taking place, the Whites boss does not feel lavish spending is always the right way forward.
“I think there are talks ongoing, yes, but whether it materialises or not I cannot say at this stage. I’ll leave that to the people behind the scenes,” he told The Bolton News.
“It would be welcome, obviously, it would be helpful. But we don’t want to go down the road of throwing millions at it and it not working out.
“You need a certain type of player in the Championship to be successful.”
Le Fondre has made no secret of his desire to return to Bolton.
Embraced by fans, with his family home in the North West, the striker quickly settled into Lennon’s style of play and finished with a healthy goal return considering the poor form of the last few months.
But his reputation as a goal-scorer at Championship level is well known and Wanderers are unlikely to be the only club interested in signing Le Fondre this summer.
Slade spoke to Le Fondre earlier this week and revealed his representatives would speak to Bolton to see if a deal could be done.
But the Cardiff boss also warned the striker would not come cheap.
“Nobody's going to steal him for nothing that's for sure," he said this week.
“Adam feels he didn't really settle in Cardiff.
“We'll see what happens there but if not all our players have received their close-season programmes.
“He's still our player and he'll be training with us come June 25 if nothing materialises.
“I've certainly not had any contact [from Bolton] but I know for sure that the [Le Fondre's] agent is trying to work something out between the two clubs.”
Source
Cardiff City boss Russell Slade has put a 'for sale' sign on the 28-year-old striker, who finished as the Whites’ top scorer this season with eight goals after a successful loan spell.
Fans are clamouring for him to return again next season but with the Bluebirds looking to recoup as much of the £3million they paid Reading for his services last summer, the deal currently looks a non-starter.
Wanderers would be open to a loan move – which would still come at a considerable cost in wages – but sources in South Wales claim Cardiff are determined to sell outright.
The only proviso would be if an outside party steps forward to put money into Wanderers.
Rumours have swirled around the Macron Stadium for weeks that chairman Phil Gartside has spoken to interested parties in Northern Ireland and Israel, who could be prepared to put money into the club, given the right circumstances.
Lennon is keen to see a successful conclusion but does not feel massive investment is necessary to get Wanderers moving in the right direction once again.
Confirming negotiations were taking place, the Whites boss does not feel lavish spending is always the right way forward.
“I think there are talks ongoing, yes, but whether it materialises or not I cannot say at this stage. I’ll leave that to the people behind the scenes,” he told The Bolton News.
“It would be welcome, obviously, it would be helpful. But we don’t want to go down the road of throwing millions at it and it not working out.
“You need a certain type of player in the Championship to be successful.”
Le Fondre has made no secret of his desire to return to Bolton.
Embraced by fans, with his family home in the North West, the striker quickly settled into Lennon’s style of play and finished with a healthy goal return considering the poor form of the last few months.
But his reputation as a goal-scorer at Championship level is well known and Wanderers are unlikely to be the only club interested in signing Le Fondre this summer.
Slade spoke to Le Fondre earlier this week and revealed his representatives would speak to Bolton to see if a deal could be done.
But the Cardiff boss also warned the striker would not come cheap.
“Nobody's going to steal him for nothing that's for sure," he said this week.
“Adam feels he didn't really settle in Cardiff.
“We'll see what happens there but if not all our players have received their close-season programmes.
“He's still our player and he'll be training with us come June 25 if nothing materialises.
“I've certainly not had any contact [from Bolton] but I know for sure that the [Le Fondre's] agent is trying to work something out between the two clubs.”
Source
