Bolton Wanderers facing big transfer blow as Brighton take winger action | OneFootball

Amario Cozier-Duberry could be set for a big chance in 2026-27

Bolton Wanderers have still not yet confirmed their place in next month's League One play-offs, but there's no shortage of goals flying in for Steven Schumacher's side in recent weeks.

Finding the back of the net 12 times in their last five fixtures, the Trotters are in fine form in-front of goal heading into what is set to be their biggest three matches of the season, should they confirm their top six spot and then make it to the final at Wembley - even if they are conceding a few goals too in the process.

They had to score yet another stoppage time goal this past weekend in a 3-3 draw with Huddersfield Town, with Ibrahim Cissoko's 101st-minute strike outside of the box rescuing a point for Wanderers - and perhaps the only surprise was it wasn't Amario Cozier-Duberry that wasn't slamming home the goal to grab the point.

The Brighton & Hove Albion loanee has been a revelation at the Toughsheet Community Stadium since his arrival in the summer window, although he did miss over two months of the season with a knee injury.

And whilst Bolton only lost once in the period of time he missed, five of those 12 results ended in draws - the ex-Arsenal man could've been a difference-maker and match-winner in those instances, and it could be a big reason as to why they're set to land in the end of season lottery that is the play-offs rather than automatic promotion.

Amario Cozier-Duberry transfer twist emerges - chances of Bolton Wanderers reunion could be dying

The Bolton hierarchy will be hoping that they can bring Cozier-Duberry back on loan next season no matter what division they are in, albeit they'd likely have a much better chance on paper if they were to win promotion to the Championship - but it seems Brighton may have other ideas.

As per a report from The Athletic, the Seagulls are in talks with Cozier-Duberry over a potential contract extension at the AMEX Stadium, with the 20-year-old's current deal set to expire in the summer of 2028.

It comes as a number of unnamed clubs from countries such as Portugal, Germany and Belgium have registered interest in the left-footed dynamo's services for next season following his form at Wanderers, where he's scored eight League One goals and notched nine assists in 32 appearances.

And in another potential twist, Brighton are also considering keeping Cozier-Duberry around next season, with Fabian Hurzeler potentially needing a bigger squad should his side qualify for European football.

Before the January transfer window opened, it had been reported that Championship trio West Brom, Sheffield United and Preston North End were keen on giving the young winger a platform to step up the footballing pyramid after his impressive third tier form, but Cozier-Duberry's aforementioned knee injury late on in January meant he remained on Bolton's books anyway.

Bolton Wanderers need to savour the next month of Amario Cozier-Duberry with exit expected

With Bolton needing very little now to secure their play-offs spot for next month, attentions will be focused on getting that done against Bradford later this week.

But their time with Cozier-Duberry on the books is fading, and he needs to stay fit for the next few weeks so he can play a big part in Schumacher's plans to get Wanderers back to the Championship.

The young wing wizard has been back to his best since returning from injury with two goals in a 5-1 drubbing of Stevenage, before then notching an assist against Huddersfield in the 3-3 thriller on home soil this past weekend, so it's a real positive to see him shining.

With Brighton seemingly having big plans for the ex-Arsenal man though, the chances of Cozier-Duberry returning to the Toughsheet Stadium next season seem slim to none - what a way it would be to go out this season if he were to help fire Bolton back to the second tier for the first time since 2019.