Steven Schumacher facing new Bolton Wanderers, Cozier-Duberry transfer threat | OneFootball

A new update has emerged on the future of Brighton winger Amario Cozier-Duberry following a stunning loan spell with Bolton Wanderers in League One

Bolton Wanderers are two games away from returning to the Championship following Friday evening's first-legged play-off semi-final victory over Bradford City, moving Steven Schumacher's side one step closer to promotion.

The Trotters were unable to clinch an automatic promotion spot over Lincoln City or Cardiff and ultimately finished the League One campaign in fifth position after ending the season in mixed fashion, but they could yet end a seven-year exile from English football's second-tier in the next two weeks.

Bolton will travel to Bradford for the second leg on Thursday night and, should they progress in West Yorkshire, a second League One play-off final at Wembley inside three years will await the Lancashire outfit as they pursue promotion back to the Championship.

Wanderers' slender 1-0 victory at home to the Bantams came courtesy of a delightful finish from star winger Amario Cozier-Duberry, who, of course, has made an outstanding impression in the third-tier this term.

Having arrived on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion following a frustrating loan spell in the Championship with Blackburn Rovers, the 20-year-old's impact has been electric. Cozier-Duberry's winning strike against Bradford marked his tenth goal of the season across all competitions and he's also provided just as many assists, with both his decisive output and head-turning flair propelling Bolton throughout the campaign and earning plenty of plaudits and interest elsewhere.

All the way back in November, Championship trio Bristol City, Sheffield United and West Bromwich Albion were all linked with the ex-Arsenal prospect and, while Bolton would naturally love to retain his services next time out, that possibility may be out of reach for Schumacher - regardless of promotion - following a fresh emerging update.

Steven Schumacher facing fresh Bolton Wanderers, Amario Cozier-Duberry transfer threat

In the build-up to Bolton's trip to Valley Parade, Fabrizio Romano has revealed a new potential development in Cozier-Duberry's future, which is poised to be the subject of significant speculation in the coming weeks.

Reporting via his official X account, the Italian journalist claimed on Monday evening that unnamed clubs in both France and Germany are looking to make moves for Cozier-Duberry after the winger received a new contract from the Seagulls.

It does appear as though Brighton are mightily impressed with how Cozier-Duberry's stint at the University of Bolton Stadium has played out and envisage the talented wide-man as a long-term component of the club's plans, which could cast doubt over the possibility of a permanent exit although it's yet to be seen exactly how he feels about his own future on the south coast.

What's clear, however, is that Bolton are only going to face even stiffer competition in any forthcoming efforts to bring Cozier-Duberry back to Schumacher's ranks for a second successive season.

Romano's update has added that Cozier-Duberry is primed to make a decision on his future soon as he weighs up no shortage of options on the table, and though the Trotters will undoubtedly be among those, their resolve is going to be tested and it perhaps feels even less likely that Schumacher will be able to return the forward to the club now.

Amario Cozier-Duberry will go onto big things after Bolton Wanderers stint

Bolton have enjoyed real success with developing top loan talent in recent years, with the likes of Conor Bradley and James Trafford having also passed through the League One promotion hopefuls.

They've since gone on to bigger and better things at the very top of the Premier League, which is precisely where many Bolton supporters believe Cozier-Duberry's trajectory is headed in the years to come.

The winger has established himself as, quite possibly, the best and most naturally-gifted footballer in League One at the age of 20.

Blessed with explosive speed, an array of tricks and a low centre of gravity which enables him to ghost past opposing defenders and exploit space with ease, alongside a clear eye for the spectacular and both composure and quality infront of goal beyond his youthful years, there's little doubt that Cozier-Duberry possesses the potential to go right to the very top and the winger's starring influence will long be remembered at Bolton, especially if he can guide his side to promotion.

He's the chief reason why Wanderers have made it this far already, and were it not for a two-and-a-half-month injury lay-off earlier in the season, one may only wonder where Schumacher's side could've ended up instead.

Cozier-Duberry's future may well lie away from Bolton, such is his talent and potential, but he's made himself a real hero with the Trotters and will have a huge say if they are to return to the second-tier.