Bolton Wanderers’ stance on January move for AFC Wimbledon man clarified | OneFootball

Bolton Wanderers are not looking to make a move for AFC Wimbledon winger Ayoub Assal this month, according to a report from The Bolton News.

It is understood that while Bolton are planning to sign a new player before their clash with Derby County this weekend, Assal is not on their radar.

The 20-year-old was linked with a move to Bolton following Wimbledon’s relegation to League Two last year.

However, a switch did not materialise last summer as Assal remained at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.

During the current campaign, Assal has managed to produce some impressive performances for Wimbledon.

In the 31 games that he has participated in, the winger has managed to find the back of the net on 10 occasions while he has also chipped in with five assists for his team-mates.

Whereas Bolton will not be swooping for Assal, it remains to be seen whether the winger will stay with the Dons for the remainder of the campaign.

As per London News Online, Wimbledon are braced for bids for Assal who will only be allowed to leave the club if they receive a sizeable offer for him.

The Verdict

Although Assal has demonstrated during his career to date that he is capable of making a difference in the third-tier, Bolton may no longer need to strengthen their attacking options having recently sealed a loan deal for Randell Williams and Dan Nlundulu.

When you consider that Assal has provided 18 direct goal contributions in the 56 League One games, it would not be at all surprising if one of Bolton’s rivals opt to test Wimbledon’s resolve by submitting an offer for him.

As for Wanderers, they will be hoping to nail their recruitment between now and the end of the window as they aim to maintain a push for a top-six finish during the remainder of the 2022/23 campaign.

Bolton will move up to fourth in the League One standings on Saturday if they secure all three points in their showdown with Derby.

Having featured for Wanderers in their recent triumph over Portsmouth, Williams and Nlundulu are both likely to be deployed by Ian Evatt at Pride Park this weekend.

Quiz: Can you name which club Bolton Wanderers signed these 22 players from?

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James Trafford?