The 12 Bolton Wanderers players set to leave in 2026 | OneFootball

FLW looks at those who could leave Bolton at the end of the season

Bolton Wanderers are one of League One's big hitters, and under Steven Schumacher, have been tipped by many to have a successful season this time around.

After two successive play-off finishes in 2022/23 and 2023/24, last season saw the Trotters finish in an underwhelming eighth position, 10 points behind the top-six, despite the quality at the Liverpudlian and, previously, Ian Evatt's disposal.

This summer has seen plenty of change at the Toughsheet Community Stadium though, with Wanderers one of the third tier's most active clubs as Schumacher looks to replicate his prior success at third tier level which saw Plymouth Argyle crowned champions two years ago, with Bolton also desperate to end their lengthy exile away from the top two divisions which has now surpassed the six-year mark.

Regardless of the current season's eventual outcome, there could be more change on the horizon as an abundance of players are currently out-of-contract next summer, and FLW has gone through their respective predicaments.

Victor Adeboyejo

Victor Adeboyejo signed a three-and-a-half year contract with Bolton in January 2023, and has endured a mixed spell heading into the final year of his current deal.

The 27-year-old's best return for the Whites thus far came in 2023/24, where he netted 10 goals and registered one assist in 38 league appearances, before scoring just three times last season and suffering an ACL injury in March.

It remains to be seen when Adebojeyo returns to action, but with Schumacher adding to his attacking ranks with Mason Burstow and Sam Dalby, it could be hard for the Nigerian to force his way back into the fold on a regular basis when he returns to fitness.

George Johnston

George Johnston has made over 140 appearances for Bolton since joining in 2021 and penned his most recent deal in August 2023 which keeps him contracted until next June.

However, despite still maintaining his position as a regular under Schumacher, the current window could be seen as a last chance for the League One outfit to make a profit on his services, with it recently being reported that Queens Park Rangers, Preston North End and Wycombe Wanderers are interested in a potential move for the 26-year-old.

Bolton would be frustrated to lose a player of such quality on a free, but in order to stave off Championship interest at present, supporters will hope a new deal is on the horizon and that they are promoted at the end of the season anyway.

Josh Dacres-Cogley

Josh Dacres-Cogley has been one of the Whites' most consistent performers in recent times, and he was rewarded for his efforts with a contract extension last season.

Despite being out-of-contract next summer, the former Birmingham City man has remained the club's first-choice right-back in the early stages of this campaign, and at 29, still provides plenty of dynamism to go with his defensive nous and experience, which could prove vital in the club's aims in the next eight months.

Dacres-Cogley has also faced strong competition from Jordan Osei-Tutu, but for large parts, has managed to keep his colleague out of the starting lineup.

Kyle Dempsey

Kyle Dempsey was another player who signed a long-term deal back in 2023, and the former Gillingham man will be hoping to secure himself fresh terms after a frustrating personal year.

The 29-year-old was unable to follow up a relatively successful 2023/24 campaign as a result of a serious meniscus injury which kept him sidelined from October onwards, meaning Schumacher is yet to call upon his services competitively or in pre-season.

Therefore, it could take the creative midfielder some time to get back up to speed, but when fully fit and firing, could flourish under the former Plymouth boss.

Jordi Osei-Tutu

The aforementioned Osei-Tutu joined on a two-year deal from VfL Bochum last summer, but had to bide his time at the Toughsheet Community Stadium as a result of Dacres-Cogley's form at right-back.

The former Arsenal man still managed to make 32 appearances in the league last season. However, only 15 of those came from the starting XI, which would have no doubt been a cause for personal frustration.

Regardless, the Ghanaian's speed and flair, similarly to his competition, makes him an extremely useful player to call upon at any point, which could mean a contract extension could be in order if he is willing to continue being utilised in such fashion.

Dan Nlundulu

Dan Nlundulu saw his spell in the North West made permanent on a three-year deal in 2023, but he is yet to show the Bolton faithful his true potential, meaning the former Southampton forward's days at the club could be numbered.

He followed up a return of just one goal in 15 loan appearances with yet another solitary strike and two assists in 2023/24, before spending last season on loan with Cambridge United.

Nlundulu scored just four times in 25 appearances at the Abbey Stadium as the U's were relegated to League Two, with it being reported in July that Bolton have allowed the striker to find a new club this summer, although a departure is yet to come to fruition.

Will Forrester

Will Forrester also signed a three-year deal in the summer of 2023, but in his two years at Bolton since moving from Port Vale, has been utilised as a squad player under two managers.

It was also reported in July that fellow League One outfit, Stockport County, were monitoring the 24-year-old if Ethan Pye was to move to Blackburn Rovers - a deal which hasn't materialised.

Forrester will be hoping that he features regularly between now and the end of the season in a bid to earn a fresh contract and fully showcase his ability to the supporters, or a swift departure could be on the cards either in January or next June.

Carlos Mendes-Gomes

Carlos Mendes-Gomes signed for the Whites in 2023 from Luton Town, but the Spaniard has failed to set the world alight since his move from the Hatters and replicate his previous form at Morecambe which grabbed the attention of many onlookers.

The wide man only featured 11 times in the league last season after recovering from an achilles injury which was sustained in February 2024. However, with Schumacher only adding further bodies and quality in the wide areas, it is hard to see any way back for Mendes-Gomes at Bolton, meaning his departure on a free transfer next summer or beforehand seems the only logical outcome.

Max Conway

Max Conway has started this season very much in Schumacher's plans, continuing a dream 2025 for the 21-year-old thus far after his contract was extended by the club until next summer in the final weeks of last season.

The central midfielder scooped a trio of awards at Crewe Alexandra's end-of-season ceremony in April after a standout breakthrough season in League Two for the Cheshire side, in which he registered two goals, one assist and often dictated the tempo of games from a deep-lying position.

If he is able to continue performing for Bolton in the same manner in League One this season, then a further extension will no doubt come Conway's way very soon.

Tyler Miller

Tyler Miller is one of several new additions to the Trotters ranks this term, with the 32-year-old joining on a free transfer on a one-year deal after becoming a free agent.

The American hasn't played competitively since 2024 for MLS outfit D. C United, but spent the final weeks of last season on the books of Notts County as the Magpies were defeated in the League Two play-off semi-finals at the hands of AFC Wimbledon.