Steven Schumacher reveals Bolton Wanderers transfer truth on Barnsley, John McAtee saga | OneFootball

John McAtee was linked with a deadline day move from Bolton to Barnsley

Steven Schumacher has made it clear that Bolton Wanderers had no intention of selling John McAtee after deadline day speculation surrounding a move to Barnsley.

It was reported by The Bolton News that an enquiry was made about a potential loan move to the Tykes, which didn’t materialise.

The 26-year-old had been uninvolved in both of the previous league fixtures for the Whites, which just further fuelled the uncertainty surrounding his future with the League One side.

But Monday’s deadline passed without a move coming to fruition, with McAtee then featuring midweek for the club in the EFL Trophy.

Steven Schumacher makes John McAtee stance clear

Schumacher has confirmed that the club received interest for McAtee, but indicated there was no value in loaning him out to Barnsley, so ultimately nothing came of it.

The Bolton boss claimed that the forward still has a role in the team, highlighting his performance against Rotherham United on Tuesday evening as evidence of that.

“With Macca there was interest, there was a late enquiry from Barnsley but we didn’t need to get rid of a good player,” said Schumacher, via The Bolton News.

“I know he hasn’t been in the past two league squads, so there was a little bit more to it all, but, again, what are Barnsley going to offer us that we’re really going to benefit from? If the answer is nothing, then he stays.

“We know he is a really good player and if he plays like he played against Rotherham it shows what he is capable of doing.”

John McAtee’s importance to Bolton

McAtee joined Bolton last summer from Luton Town after he struggled for game time at Kenilworth Road.

He’d spent loan spells at Grimsby Town and Barnsley, while being unable to break into the Hatters’ first team plans.

The 26-year-old contributed 11 goals and three assists in League One from 45 appearances as Schumacher’s side finished eighth in the table.

McAtee played in each of Bolton’s opening four fixtures in this campaign, but missed draws against Lincoln City and Blackpool before returning for their cup clash with the Millers midweek.

Luton Town's John Mcatee and Chiedozie Ogbene during the warm up before a match

John McAtee still has a role in this Bolton team

McAtee may not be a consistent starter at Bolton under Schumacher, but it’s clear he still has a role to play in this team, even with 14 additions made this summer.

The forward scored 11 times last season, which is a tally that could be quite useful in a promotion push this year, if he can repeat the feat.

A loan to Barnsley wouldn’t have had any benefit for the Whites, and would’ve helped out a rival in the league by bolstering their attacking options.

So it’s the right decision by the club to fend off any interest at this stage, and now Schumacher will be hoping that the closing of the window can help settle his squad as they look to kick on and improve their form in order to push for a top six finish.