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WANDERERS could wrap up the signing of Erhun Oztumer today after winning the race for the playmaker’s signature.
The 27-year-old midfielder is poised to become Phil Parkinson’s second signing of the summer after turning down an extended deal with League One Walsall.
Oztumer has attracted plenty of attention – with Preston North End, Blackburn, Sunderland and Bradford all linked with him over the past few weeks. But it is understood Wanderers have seen off the competition, with a formal announcement on his signing expected shortly.
The London-born midfielder has been in the PFA League One team of the year for the last two seasons, scoring 32 goals in 95 games for the Saddlers in all competitions.
He has never played at Championship level but Parkinson hopes he can add a different dimension to a midfield which lacked spark at times last season.
At 5ft 3ins he is the shortest player in the EFL but his skills on the ball and prowess at set pieces earned him the name ‘Turkish Messi’ from the Walsall fans.
Oztumer played previously for Peterborough United and non-league clubs Dulwich Hamlet and Fisher Athletic, either side of a spell in the Turkish third tier with Ukusdar Anadolu.
Wanderers are also looking to speak with ex-Manchester City and Aston Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland about a potential trial.
Parkinson could bring the 31-year-old Irishman into Lostock at the end of the month after his release from Stoke City.
Ireland has played his entire career in the Premier League, making more than 300 appearances, but has missed most of the last two seasons with a catalogue of injuries – the worst of which was a badly broken leg sustained in a trainingground collision.
He is now looking to relaunch his career after featuring three times for the Potters off the bench in April.
Meanwhile, Wanderers will face Atherton Colls in a friendly on Thursday, July 10 (kick-off 7.45pm) at the Kensite Stadium.
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wanderers/16283895.Wanderers_poised_to_make_second_summer_signing/
The 27-year-old midfielder is poised to become Phil Parkinson’s second signing of the summer after turning down an extended deal with League One Walsall.
Oztumer has attracted plenty of attention – with Preston North End, Blackburn, Sunderland and Bradford all linked with him over the past few weeks. But it is understood Wanderers have seen off the competition, with a formal announcement on his signing expected shortly.
The London-born midfielder has been in the PFA League One team of the year for the last two seasons, scoring 32 goals in 95 games for the Saddlers in all competitions.
He has never played at Championship level but Parkinson hopes he can add a different dimension to a midfield which lacked spark at times last season.
At 5ft 3ins he is the shortest player in the EFL but his skills on the ball and prowess at set pieces earned him the name ‘Turkish Messi’ from the Walsall fans.
Oztumer played previously for Peterborough United and non-league clubs Dulwich Hamlet and Fisher Athletic, either side of a spell in the Turkish third tier with Ukusdar Anadolu.
Wanderers are also looking to speak with ex-Manchester City and Aston Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland about a potential trial.
Parkinson could bring the 31-year-old Irishman into Lostock at the end of the month after his release from Stoke City.
Ireland has played his entire career in the Premier League, making more than 300 appearances, but has missed most of the last two seasons with a catalogue of injuries – the worst of which was a badly broken leg sustained in a trainingground collision.
He is now looking to relaunch his career after featuring three times for the Potters off the bench in April.
Meanwhile, Wanderers will face Atherton Colls in a friendly on Thursday, July 10 (kick-off 7.45pm) at the Kensite Stadium.
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wanderers/16283895.Wanderers_poised_to_make_second_summer_signing/
