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Dougie Freedman is facing more frustration in his bid to add to his Wanderers squad after revealing a double move for Crewe’s Max Clayton and Liverpool youngster Jordon Ibe looks like failing.
The Scot had hoped to draft in the pair to bolster his forward line but now admits it looks unlikely either deal will come to fruition.
Twenty-year-old striker Clayton has trained with the Whites this week but a deal for him is complex despite him being out of contract at the Alexandra Stadium.
Ahead of today’s trip to Brighton, Freedman told The Bolton News: “Max Clayton has been training with us for four or five days and keeping himself fit.
“He is a player that interests us but right now it is proving very difficult to do a deal with Crewe.
“He is out of contract but I just feel to try to do a deal at the minute is not reasonable.
“It looks like that is going to come unstuck – the same as has happened to Wolves and to Sunderland.
“He will continue to train with us until Monday.
“No club is going to go to a tribunal with the money being asked for.
“We went to one with West Ham last year for Rob Hall, but we felt we had a strong case and, to be fair to West Ham, they were reasonable with what they were asking from the outset so we felt it was worth going to a tribunal.
“But if a club is not reasonable, then it is up in the air.
“I don’t think it is a reasonable price on his head for such a young player that has not played in the Championship yet, never mind the Premier League.
“For that reason we cannot even get round the table which is such a shame.
“I do know he has other options to go abroad.
“He’s a good young player and the sort we should be bringing to the club who is one for the future but could surprise a few.
“But as of now there is no room to manouevre.”
Freedman also confirmed Wanderers have enquired over a loan move for Liverpool’s Ibe but says competition for his signature is strong.
Derby County have been heavily linked and the Whites boss says other clubs are also now in the frame should the Anfield club allow the 18-year-old wide man to leave on a temporary basis.
Freedman added: “We made an enquiry for Jordon Ibe a couple of days ago but it looks as if that one is also slipping away from us.
“Another couple of teams have put their hat in which is disappointing for myself.
“But there are many different factors for getting a young player in on loan and we just don’t seem to be in the running at the minute.”
It means Freedman will head to the south coast today with the same personnel available to him.
But he remains hopeful the final week of the summer transfer window will see options to add to his squad arise.
Source
The Scot had hoped to draft in the pair to bolster his forward line but now admits it looks unlikely either deal will come to fruition.
Twenty-year-old striker Clayton has trained with the Whites this week but a deal for him is complex despite him being out of contract at the Alexandra Stadium.
Ahead of today’s trip to Brighton, Freedman told The Bolton News: “Max Clayton has been training with us for four or five days and keeping himself fit.
“He is a player that interests us but right now it is proving very difficult to do a deal with Crewe.
“He is out of contract but I just feel to try to do a deal at the minute is not reasonable.
“It looks like that is going to come unstuck – the same as has happened to Wolves and to Sunderland.
“He will continue to train with us until Monday.
“No club is going to go to a tribunal with the money being asked for.
“We went to one with West Ham last year for Rob Hall, but we felt we had a strong case and, to be fair to West Ham, they were reasonable with what they were asking from the outset so we felt it was worth going to a tribunal.
“But if a club is not reasonable, then it is up in the air.
“I don’t think it is a reasonable price on his head for such a young player that has not played in the Championship yet, never mind the Premier League.
“For that reason we cannot even get round the table which is such a shame.
“I do know he has other options to go abroad.
“He’s a good young player and the sort we should be bringing to the club who is one for the future but could surprise a few.
“But as of now there is no room to manouevre.”
Freedman also confirmed Wanderers have enquired over a loan move for Liverpool’s Ibe but says competition for his signature is strong.
Derby County have been heavily linked and the Whites boss says other clubs are also now in the frame should the Anfield club allow the 18-year-old wide man to leave on a temporary basis.
Freedman added: “We made an enquiry for Jordon Ibe a couple of days ago but it looks as if that one is also slipping away from us.
“Another couple of teams have put their hat in which is disappointing for myself.
“But there are many different factors for getting a young player in on loan and we just don’t seem to be in the running at the minute.”
It means Freedman will head to the south coast today with the same personnel available to him.
But he remains hopeful the final week of the summer transfer window will see options to add to his squad arise.
Source