Max Dean to Bolton Wanderers transfer truth emerges from Steven Schumacher | OneFootball

Steven Schumacher has clarified the situation surrounding Max Dean's possible move to Bolton Wanderers

Steven Schumacher has dismissed speculation linking Bolton Wanderers with a move for Max Dean.

The Whites are preparing for their return to the Championship, with the new season getting underway this weekend.

And the club are keen to bolster their options as they target survival in their first year back in the division since 2019.

This led to speculation that Dean was close to signing a deal with the Championship team from Belgian outfit Gent.

The 22-year-old scored seven times in 23 appearances in the Belgian Pro League last season, but could now be in line for a move to English football.

The striker previously came through the ranks of the Leeds United academy system, before moving to MK Dons in 2023 ahead of his switch to Gent in 2023.

Steven Schumacher offers Max Dean transfer truth

Action Images

Schumacher has claimed that there are a lot of stories being made up on Twitter about Bolton’s transfer activity this summer, suggesting that even his own family is getting back to him with nonsense rumours.

The Bolton boss is always open to adding quality players to his squad, but has dismissed speculation on an impending arrival.

“I don’t like naming individuals or name names, but it does make me laugh is where people get all their information from,” said Schumacher, via the BBC.

“It makes me laugh.

“I had my dad and my wife saying ‘I believe you’re close to doing a striker, aren’t you?’ and I was like ‘where are you getting this from?’.

“I think they read it on Twitter.

“So, I would say 95 per cent of stuff that you read on that is not true.

“We’re always interested in good footballers and good players that help us be better, so it’s just mad where people get stories from.

“It makes me laugh.”

It was reported by Stefan Smet that Dean was present in Gent training amid speculation that a deal had already been agreed with Bolton for the player.

However, nothing has been confirmed by the two clubs, and the forward appears to still be in Belgium.

It remains to be seen whether Bolton will pursue a deal for the striker, who made the switch to Gent in 2024.

The 22-year-old has made a total of 40 appearances in the Belgian Pro League over the last two campaigns, contributing 13 goals and two assists.

During his time at MK Dons, he played 38 times in the league, including nine times in League One, scoring on 16 occasions in total.

Bolton’s summer signings

Bolton have been quite active in the transfer market so far this summer, even with Dean’s arrival now seemingly not on the cards.

The Whites have added Luca Stephenson and Akin Famewo from Liverpool and Hull City, respectively, while Kyliane Dong has also joined on loan from Augsburg.

Ryan Hardie has also arrived as a loan signing, while Lewis Brunt’s move from Wrexham was on a permanent basis.

Meanwhile, Gaizka Larrazabal, David Watson and Ben Davies all signed as free agents.

Action Images

Steven Schumacher leaves door open for Max Dean signing

Schumacher has dismissed the story regarding Dean’s impending arrival, but his comments regarding quality players hints at an interest in the Gent star.

It’s likely Bolton will be active in the market again before it shuts on 1 September, and the addition of Dean has the potential to be a smart piece of business.

The Whites’ focus right now will be on getting a result against Preston North End on Saturday, but there are still just over two weeks left in the window.

That leaves some time left to get a signing or two more over the line, which might be needed to bolster the squad’s survival hopes.