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Neil Lennon has hinted he will open a dialogue with Cardiff City about bringing Adam Le Fondre back to the Macron Stadium next season.
With eight goals in just 14 starts, the razor-sharp striker has leapt to the top of the Whites’ scoring charts since signing on loan in January, netting in his last three games.
Lennon believes the 28-year-old would jump at the chance of a longer stay in the North West, where his young family are based, however his return is by no means guaranteed.
A handful of clubs, including Premier League Burnley, are rumoured to be monitoring his situation – and with two years left on his contract Le Fondre will not come cheap.
But Lennon remains confident a deal can be done, if the terms are right for him.
“I don’t think there would be a problem convincing any of the lads who have been here on loan to come back – I think they have enjoyed it and bought into what I was asking of them,” he told The Bolton News. “It’s just a question of whether we can do any deal with their parent club.
“Le Fondre definitely falls into that bracket. He’s been good for us, and we’ve been good for him. If I get a chance to work with him for longer, I’ve said before I think I can make him a better all-round player.”
Le Fondre is one of a handful of loanees who have excelled at Wanderers this season but Lennon wants to lay firmer foundations next time around.
The Northern Irishman reckons some of the continuity gained in November and December was lost after an influx of loan players in the New Year, brought in primarily to mask a horrendous list of injuries.
While a long-term loan for Le Fondre could be the only option available next term, the Wanderers boss is eager to make as many of his summer signings permanent as possible.
“I don’t want to fill the squad up with loans next season,” he said.
“Part of management is keeping players motivated for a club and that’s not as straightforward when the club is not their own.
“What I'd like is the majority of my players to be signed up for two or three years and committed to what we're doing.
“I'd like to make one or two of the loans permanent, whether I can do it is another thing.”
Le Fondre featured regularly for the Bluebirds before his arrival at Bolton but struggled to replicate the same goalscoring form he has shown throughout his career, netting just three times in 24 games.
He too has hinted at a summer move, although his manager at Cardiff, Russell Slade, wants to speak with him at the end of the season to discuss his future.
“Adam has been contacted and he knows exactly when he is in to see me for a chat,” said Slade. “I do believe he’s had dialogue via his agent with the secretary and the chief executive also. There is ongoing dialogue there.
“I can see why there is interest in him because he’s scored a few goals.
“He still has two years on his contract as a Cardiff City player. He’s back with us on May 5. Between now and then whether Bolton do approach us remains to be seen.”
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With eight goals in just 14 starts, the razor-sharp striker has leapt to the top of the Whites’ scoring charts since signing on loan in January, netting in his last three games.
Lennon believes the 28-year-old would jump at the chance of a longer stay in the North West, where his young family are based, however his return is by no means guaranteed.
A handful of clubs, including Premier League Burnley, are rumoured to be monitoring his situation – and with two years left on his contract Le Fondre will not come cheap.
But Lennon remains confident a deal can be done, if the terms are right for him.
“I don’t think there would be a problem convincing any of the lads who have been here on loan to come back – I think they have enjoyed it and bought into what I was asking of them,” he told The Bolton News. “It’s just a question of whether we can do any deal with their parent club.
“Le Fondre definitely falls into that bracket. He’s been good for us, and we’ve been good for him. If I get a chance to work with him for longer, I’ve said before I think I can make him a better all-round player.”
Le Fondre is one of a handful of loanees who have excelled at Wanderers this season but Lennon wants to lay firmer foundations next time around.
The Northern Irishman reckons some of the continuity gained in November and December was lost after an influx of loan players in the New Year, brought in primarily to mask a horrendous list of injuries.
While a long-term loan for Le Fondre could be the only option available next term, the Wanderers boss is eager to make as many of his summer signings permanent as possible.
“I don’t want to fill the squad up with loans next season,” he said.
“Part of management is keeping players motivated for a club and that’s not as straightforward when the club is not their own.
“What I'd like is the majority of my players to be signed up for two or three years and committed to what we're doing.
“I'd like to make one or two of the loans permanent, whether I can do it is another thing.”
Le Fondre featured regularly for the Bluebirds before his arrival at Bolton but struggled to replicate the same goalscoring form he has shown throughout his career, netting just three times in 24 games.
He too has hinted at a summer move, although his manager at Cardiff, Russell Slade, wants to speak with him at the end of the season to discuss his future.
“Adam has been contacted and he knows exactly when he is in to see me for a chat,” said Slade. “I do believe he’s had dialogue via his agent with the secretary and the chief executive also. There is ongoing dialogue there.
“I can see why there is interest in him because he’s scored a few goals.
“He still has two years on his contract as a Cardiff City player. He’s back with us on May 5. Between now and then whether Bolton do approach us remains to be seen.”
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