Bolton Wanderers should turn to Notts County if Dion Charles transfer materialises: View | OneFootball

Bolton Wanderers will be looking to come out of this transfer window stronger than they were when they went into it.

The Trotters were tipped heavily at the start of the season to be one of the stronger sides in the division, and they have so far met those expectations.

Ian Evatt’s men have won 16 of their 24 league games this season, a tally that has seen them not just cement a place in the play-offs but in the league’s top two.

Therefore, they come into this transfer window in a very good place, but like any manager, Evatt will want to make sure his squad is as strong as it can be.

Charles has been impressing ever since he was brought to the Toughsheet Community Stadium, so it is no surprise to see he is being looked at by Championship clubs again this month.

According to The Bolton News, both Swansea City and Hull City have been keeping a close eye on Charles.

The report states that scouts from both sides were in attendance during Bolton’s game against Fleetwood Town last Friday, and it was probably a worthwhile trip, as the Northern Irishman got on the scoresheet.

Evatt hasn’t ruled out Charles’ departure this month, as most teams in League One know they may have to sell start assets to keep funding coming into the club.

However, Bolton will hope the month can go by, and no interest emerges in Charles, as they will be keen for him to stay as they bid to get into the Championship.

However, it’s still very early in the window and a lot can still happen, so Bolton need to be prepared to act quickly, and should the forward leave, they could find a ready-made replacement at Notts County in the form of Macauley Langstaff.

Ideally, the Trotters will want to use this month to improve in one or two areas and not need to worry about replacing Charles.

However, with the report stating that Championship teams are watching the Northern Irishman, Bolton need to be prepared that this could be the month Charles leaves.

The Lancashire outfit will have a price in mind when it comes to Charles, so should he leave, whatever they get for him should be reinvested in Notts County striker Macauley Langstaff.

The 26-year-old joined the Magpies in the summer of 2022 from Gateshead, and in his one and a half seasons at the club, Langstaff has been sensational.

The forward scored 41 goals in 45 National League appearances last season, as he helped Notts County return to the football league after a sustained period away.

SofaScore.com.

The Notts County forward has a goal conversion rate of 19%, with 14 of his goals coming with his preferred right foot. Langstaff has created two big chances this season, with him collecting 0.4 key passes and having an 84% pass accuracy per game. So far, Langstaff has a SofaScore.com overall rating of 7.19.

The 26-year-old has been excellent ever since joining Notts County, and it seems no matter what the Magpies achieve this season, he could be someone playing higher up the football pyramid.

Bolton signed Charles from Accrington Stanley, a player who had a similar record, and it is a move that has worked out. So, there is nothing that should put Bolton off doing it again, as he could be an excellent replacement for Charles; it will just depend on what happens to the Bolton forward.