Huddersfield facing Joe Taylor exit threat - it could have Bolton Wanderers knock-on effect | OneFootball

Huddersfield Town could yet sell Joe Taylor to Gent but that could have a huge knock-on effect for Bolton Wanderers before the deadline...

Huddersfield Town will be determined to push for promotion from League One this season, following the path Bolton Wanderers successfully took last term by retaining players like Joe Taylor despite interest from Belgian outfit KAA Gent.

However, with only a couple of days remaining in the transfer window, both clubs face important decisions for very different reasons. Bolton Wanderers are looking to strengthen a squad capable of surviving at Championship level, while Huddersfield Town need to add where necessary.

Crucially, Town have to retain their best players if they are to kick on towards promotion. Joe Taylor's excellent start to the campaign means keeping hold of his quality could be particularly important now as well.

Gent interest comes after Joe Taylor's flying Huddersfield start

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Journalist Pete O'Rourke has revealed the interest from Gent, as well as unnamed Championship club.

The reported interest in Taylor comes as little surprise given the start the 23-year-old has made to the new League One campaign. He has registered three goals and an assist already, including a brace against Cambridge on Saturday.

He has quickly underlined the goalscoring threat Huddersfield have at their disposal. His form is especially notable following his return from a stunning loan spell with Wigan Athletic last season, which was a move that now looks like a major mistake given how well he has begun the current campaign to start where he left off.

Taylor is providing exactly the sort of cutting edge Huddersfield will need if they are to challenge at the top of the division, meaning interest from elsewhere is unlikely to be welcomed so late in the window. However, it's one deal that Bolton may have interest in, too.

Joe Taylor joining Gent could create Max Dean opening for Bolton

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There could also be a significant knock-on effect for Bolton if Taylor was to complete a move to Gent. The Belgian side already have Max Dean on their books, with the former MK Dons and Leeds United striker having been a target for the Trotters throughout the summer.

Dean was tipped to join Bolton earlier in the summer. Since then, they have repeatedly tried to find a way to bring Dean back to English football but have so far been unable to get a deal over the line. Bolton had a £1 million bid rejected by Gent earlier this month.

However, if Gent were to add another attacking option in Taylor, that could potentially alter Dean's situation and open the door for a departure.

It remains speculative at this stage, but the arrival of Taylor from Huddersfield could reduce Dean's importance in Gent's plans and finally give Bolton the opportunity they have been waiting for.

Has Bolton's transfer business moved on from Max Dean already?

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Bolton have already made additions as they prepare for life back in the Championship, with Ryan Hardie arriving on loan to give Steven Schumacher another option in attack.

Dean could still be an exciting addition alongside him, offering a different profile and potentially increasing the depth available in the final third for what could be a demanding campaign.

However, after a summer of failed attempts to secure his signature, Bolton may now have turned their attention elsewhere. Late interest from Bolton in Oumar Diakite suggests the club are continuing to explore alternative striker options, and Dean may no longer be their only focus.