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Neil Lennon has warned he will cash-in on his out-of-contract stars if they do not agree new deals in January.
The Wanderers boss is prepared to take a hard line when the transfer window reopens in order to minimise the risk of players walking away for nothing next summer.
Adam Bogdan, Craig Davies, Andy Lonergan, Matt Mills, Chung-Yong Lee, Josh Vela, Neil Danns and Darren Pratley are among those whose contract expires at the end of the season.
Lennon has the backing of chairman Phil Gartside after discussions this week and knows he may have to generate some funds to bring in three or four targets next month.
But the Northern Irishman says he is prepared to make tough decisions over the festive period if it means raising cash to bolster his squad.
“It is going to be a difficult three or four weeks coming up,” he told The Bolton News.
“It is going to be a balancing act because there are a few players coming up to the end of their contracts and obviously a few we’d like to keep.
“There’s maybe money to be generated going forwards, so we have to get it right and there has to be a balance.
“That has to be the realistic way forward, otherwise we run the risk of them running down their contract and walking away for nothing.
“I think at the minute we can’t afford for that to happen.”
Wanderers have been heavily criticised in the past for allowing players purchased for big transfer fees to walk away for nothing.
Big names such as Johan Elmander, Gretar Steinsson and Marcos Alonso have left on free transfers in the last four years – although Lennon admits it is not always possible to recoup a fee with many growing influences in the modern game.
“Sometimes there’s not a lot you can do about it, you have to be smart,” he said.
“This is where agents come in and play a huge part nowadays. They can make it tough for clubs.”
Securing the future of in-form -Yong has already been made a pressing priority by Lennon, although reports in South Korea suggest his representatives are already looking to move the playmaker on in the summer.
Tabloid reports have also linked Hungary international Bogdan with a move away from Wanderers in January, with Lennon indicating he is prepared to stick with Lonergan as his first-choice keeper for now.
Source
The Wanderers boss is prepared to take a hard line when the transfer window reopens in order to minimise the risk of players walking away for nothing next summer.
Adam Bogdan, Craig Davies, Andy Lonergan, Matt Mills, Chung-Yong Lee, Josh Vela, Neil Danns and Darren Pratley are among those whose contract expires at the end of the season.
Lennon has the backing of chairman Phil Gartside after discussions this week and knows he may have to generate some funds to bring in three or four targets next month.
But the Northern Irishman says he is prepared to make tough decisions over the festive period if it means raising cash to bolster his squad.
“It is going to be a difficult three or four weeks coming up,” he told The Bolton News.
“It is going to be a balancing act because there are a few players coming up to the end of their contracts and obviously a few we’d like to keep.
“There’s maybe money to be generated going forwards, so we have to get it right and there has to be a balance.
“That has to be the realistic way forward, otherwise we run the risk of them running down their contract and walking away for nothing.
“I think at the minute we can’t afford for that to happen.”
Wanderers have been heavily criticised in the past for allowing players purchased for big transfer fees to walk away for nothing.
Big names such as Johan Elmander, Gretar Steinsson and Marcos Alonso have left on free transfers in the last four years – although Lennon admits it is not always possible to recoup a fee with many growing influences in the modern game.
“Sometimes there’s not a lot you can do about it, you have to be smart,” he said.
“This is where agents come in and play a huge part nowadays. They can make it tough for clubs.”
Securing the future of in-form -Yong has already been made a pressing priority by Lennon, although reports in South Korea suggest his representatives are already looking to move the playmaker on in the summer.
Tabloid reports have also linked Hungary international Bogdan with a move away from Wanderers in January, with Lennon indicating he is prepared to stick with Lonergan as his first-choice keeper for now.
Source