Fresh Bolton Wanderers, Max Dean twist emerges as training photos surface | OneFootball

Max Dean has been pictured in training with Gent, despite earlier reports stating a Bolton medical had been booked

Max Dean has been spotted in training for his current club, Gent, despite the hope that a medical would be taking place ahead of a move to Bolton Wanderers soon.

Bolton have needed attacking reinforcement all summer, with several of their attacking talents who contributed to their promotion via the League One play-offs last season returning to their parent clubs at the end of loan spells.

Wanderers boss Steven Schumacher stated at the start of the month that he felt he needed two strikers to help complement reigning Player of the Year Sam Dalby up front.

Ryan Hardie arrived on loan on Tuesday, and Gent frontman Max Dean looked to be the second striker addition in as many days.

Max Dean spotted in Gent training, despite Bolton Wanderers deal reportedly being agreed

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Bolton had a £1 million bid rejected by the Belgian top-flight side last week for Dean, but Alan Nixon stated on Tuesday that a deal had been agreed, with a medical set to take place.

However, things aren't as definite as many thought they were yesterday, as the 22-year-old was pictured in training for Rik De Mil's side on Wednesday morning.

Dean hit some brilliant form towards the end of last season, after recovering from the previous year's ACL injury, combined with an early red card, meaning he only played two league games before December.

Indeed, he netted five times in his last six league outings, including in three consecutive wins to end the season, helping his side finish fifth in the Belgian Pro League after a difficult start to their split phase.

The former Leeds United academy man was left out of Gent's league opener this season as he was looking to leave for an English club, and while Bolton do seem to be the frontrunners, the image of the 22-year-old in training has thrown a spanner in the works somewhat.

How Bolton Wanderers have reacted to the image of Max Dean in training

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It's safe to say that Bolton fans haven't taken the image of Dean training in Belgium too well, especially when they thought he'd be having his medical any time now ahead of joining up with them this summer.

"Right, I think it’s reasonable to panic now," one Bolton fan said. "Wasn’t it reported he was having his medical?" another questioned.

"Hit a snag?" one asked, indicating that talks could have broken down at the eleventh hour, with another saying, "Holy what 🤣🤣🤣. Looks like it’s Ryan Hardie all season then."

Bolton Wanderers' pursuit of Max Dean may have hit a stumbling block — but that doesn't mean a move can't be made

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Seeing Dean training for his current club has understandably created quite a stir among the Bolton fanbase, but while the initial reaction is to fear the worst, that doesn't mean all is lost when it comes to securing the 22-year-old's services.

A deal can reach an impasse, but that doesn't mean it can't be worked around, and with Steven Schumacher needing another striker this window, the higher-ups at the Toughsheet Stadium will be working hard to move past it.

What will be telling regarding how serious this roadblock may be is if Dean is chosen by Rik De Mil's side on Thursday night to take on Goteborg in the second leg of their third qualifying round of the Europa Conference League.

With the 22-year-old not chosen for league action on Sunday against KV Mechelen due to exploring a move away, being reintegrated into the line-up tomorrow could be telling.

For now, though, Bolton fans will be hoping that the outcry online is nothing more than reactionary, and Dean will be returning to the EFL with them soon, albeit with the deal taking a little longer than first expected.