Home
WANDERERS are understood to be ‘close’ to completing the signing of Turkish playmaker Erhun Oztumer from League One Walsall.
The sought-after number 10 is available on a free transfer this summer after turning down the chance to stay with the Saddlers, where he has scored 32 goals in two seasons.
At 5ft 3ins, Oztumer is the shortest player currently active in the Football League, and his creative skills helped him earn the nickname ‘Turkish Messi’ in the Midlands.
Interest in his signature appears to have been high – with Blackburn Rovers, Preston North End and Bradford City all mentioned as potential suitors. But sources at the Macron were confident at the weekend negotiations with the 27-year-old were going their way.
Whether he is the first new signing through the gate at the Macron this summer remains to be seen, with suggestion behind the scenes that two or three other deals are also nearing completion.
A degree of concern has built among Wanderers fans at the lack of progress being made in the transfer market over the last few weeks, with the opening weekend of the 2018/19 campaign just 60 days away.
Phil Parkinson has released seven first team players and a handful of the development squad, with more expected to follow in the coming week.
But firm assurances have been made by the Bolton hierarchy that business will pick up very soon.
It is expected the Whites boss will be working with a bigger playing budget this season – and chairman Ken Anderson has already guaranteed funds regardless of the ongoing investment talks with outside parties – but the club remain determined to keep their business as quiet and efficient as possible so they do not get drawn into any bidding battles.
Meanwhile, The Bolton News understands an application has been made to the EFL to ensure Wanderers’ opening game of the Championship season is away from home.
The request has been made to avoid any potential clash with the rugby league Challenge Cup semi-finals on August 5.
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wanderers/16267009.Wanderers_are_closing_in_on_playmaker_deal/?ref=twtrec
The sought-after number 10 is available on a free transfer this summer after turning down the chance to stay with the Saddlers, where he has scored 32 goals in two seasons.
At 5ft 3ins, Oztumer is the shortest player currently active in the Football League, and his creative skills helped him earn the nickname ‘Turkish Messi’ in the Midlands.
Interest in his signature appears to have been high – with Blackburn Rovers, Preston North End and Bradford City all mentioned as potential suitors. But sources at the Macron were confident at the weekend negotiations with the 27-year-old were going their way.
Whether he is the first new signing through the gate at the Macron this summer remains to be seen, with suggestion behind the scenes that two or three other deals are also nearing completion.
A degree of concern has built among Wanderers fans at the lack of progress being made in the transfer market over the last few weeks, with the opening weekend of the 2018/19 campaign just 60 days away.
Phil Parkinson has released seven first team players and a handful of the development squad, with more expected to follow in the coming week.
But firm assurances have been made by the Bolton hierarchy that business will pick up very soon.
It is expected the Whites boss will be working with a bigger playing budget this season – and chairman Ken Anderson has already guaranteed funds regardless of the ongoing investment talks with outside parties – but the club remain determined to keep their business as quiet and efficient as possible so they do not get drawn into any bidding battles.
Meanwhile, The Bolton News understands an application has been made to the EFL to ensure Wanderers’ opening game of the Championship season is away from home.
The request has been made to avoid any potential clash with the rugby league Challenge Cup semi-finals on August 5.
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wanderers/16267009.Wanderers_are_closing_in_on_playmaker_deal/?ref=twtrec
