Bolton boss Owen Coyle will ease the financial pain of relegation - by letting a handful of the club’s senior citizens go.
Keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen and top scorer Ivan Klasnic are two of the main casualties as Wandereres face up to the loss of around £20 million in prize money from the Premier League.
Jaaskelainen has been negotiating an achievement-based deal but will now make a natural break from Bolton after a decade of top-class service.
The Finn, who is building a home in the area, would be second choice to Player of the Year Adam Bogdan and is also looking for a fresh start.
Klasnic’s deal is up and he will be squeezed out as Coyle looks to promote Marvin Sordell after a frustrating start for the £3 million signing from Watford.
Coyle released left back Paul Robinson, injury-jinxed midfielder Sean Davis and Robbie Blake before the final game - with Ricardo Gardner also going after one knee problem too many.
The departure of those five alone will wipe over £7 million off the payroll, with other out-of-contract players to go. Icelandic right back Gretar Steinsson’s future looks away from the Reebok.
Coyle is going to keep veteran captain Kevin Davies on less terms, while left winger Martin Petrov is staying - if he wants - after playing enough games for a clause to kick in and give him an extension.
Zat Knight is also keen to play on, with a better chance of a start after David Wheater’s knee injury, but he would also be on a smaller deal.
Loan signings Dedryck Boyata, Ryo Miyaichi and Tuncay will be returned and all of those extra adjustments will trim a further £5 million from the budget.
Coyle does not want to lose any more players as he tries to recover at the first attempt and told fans at an end-of-season bash: “We want to come back bigger, better and stronger - with a young and vibrant side.”
Bolton chief Coyle also has to persuade midfield dynamo Nigel Reo-Coker to stay. He has a release clause in his deal - but Wanderers hope he sticks around.
The loss of those nine players should not be too badly felt, especially with long-term absentees Stuart Holden and Chung-Yong Lee on their way back.
Holden is due to start pre-season training after two major injuries that have torn 18 months out of his blossoming career and Lee has made two brief cameo appearances as a sub.
Youngsters Josh Vela and Joe Riley will also feature more as Coyle trims down his squad, cuts the salaries and lowers the average age.
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The Mail however says differently!
Apparently -
Martin Petrov, Jussi Jaaskelainen and Sam Ricketts are set to join Davies by agreeing new deals, but seven more players are almost certain to leave.
Ivan Klasnic, Paul Robinson, Robbie Blake and Sean Davis are expected to be released, and loan signings Ryo Miyaichi, Tuncay Sanli and Dedryck Boyata will return to their parent clubs.
The futures of Zat Knight, Gretar Steinsson and Ricardo Gardner remain unclear after all three were offered new terms on significantly lower wages.
Loads more stuff here -
Read more: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen and top scorer Ivan Klasnic are two of the main casualties as Wandereres face up to the loss of around £20 million in prize money from the Premier League.
Jaaskelainen has been negotiating an achievement-based deal but will now make a natural break from Bolton after a decade of top-class service.
The Finn, who is building a home in the area, would be second choice to Player of the Year Adam Bogdan and is also looking for a fresh start.
Klasnic’s deal is up and he will be squeezed out as Coyle looks to promote Marvin Sordell after a frustrating start for the £3 million signing from Watford.
Coyle released left back Paul Robinson, injury-jinxed midfielder Sean Davis and Robbie Blake before the final game - with Ricardo Gardner also going after one knee problem too many.
The departure of those five alone will wipe over £7 million off the payroll, with other out-of-contract players to go. Icelandic right back Gretar Steinsson’s future looks away from the Reebok.
Coyle is going to keep veteran captain Kevin Davies on less terms, while left winger Martin Petrov is staying - if he wants - after playing enough games for a clause to kick in and give him an extension.
Zat Knight is also keen to play on, with a better chance of a start after David Wheater’s knee injury, but he would also be on a smaller deal.
Loan signings Dedryck Boyata, Ryo Miyaichi and Tuncay will be returned and all of those extra adjustments will trim a further £5 million from the budget.
Coyle does not want to lose any more players as he tries to recover at the first attempt and told fans at an end-of-season bash: “We want to come back bigger, better and stronger - with a young and vibrant side.”
Bolton chief Coyle also has to persuade midfield dynamo Nigel Reo-Coker to stay. He has a release clause in his deal - but Wanderers hope he sticks around.
The loss of those nine players should not be too badly felt, especially with long-term absentees Stuart Holden and Chung-Yong Lee on their way back.
Holden is due to start pre-season training after two major injuries that have torn 18 months out of his blossoming career and Lee has made two brief cameo appearances as a sub.
Youngsters Josh Vela and Joe Riley will also feature more as Coyle trims down his squad, cuts the salaries and lowers the average age.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
The Mail however says differently!
Apparently -
Martin Petrov, Jussi Jaaskelainen and Sam Ricketts are set to join Davies by agreeing new deals, but seven more players are almost certain to leave.
Ivan Klasnic, Paul Robinson, Robbie Blake and Sean Davis are expected to be released, and loan signings Ryo Miyaichi, Tuncay Sanli and Dedryck Boyata will return to their parent clubs.
The futures of Zat Knight, Gretar Steinsson and Ricardo Gardner remain unclear after all three were offered new terms on significantly lower wages.
Loads more stuff here -
Read more: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]