Exclusive: Aaron Collins edges closer to Bolton Wanderers exit as deal agreed | OneFootball

A deal has been agreed for Bolton Wanderers forward Aaron Collins to join League Two side MK Dons, Football League World has learned

Bolton Wanderers have now agreed a deal with MK Dons for the transfer of Aaron Collins, Football League World can exclusively reveal.

Despite finishing the previous season in 19th position, MK appear poised to be among the favourites to gain promotion next time around as an exciting summer awaits under Warne.

The ex-Derby County boss, who was appointed in the final throes of last season after being available following his sacking by the Rams back in January, has already reunited with one of his former favourites at Pride Park by completing a shock deal for experienced winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.

MK are now set to seal yet another head-turning acquisition in the form of Collins, as he closes in on a move from Bolton following an impressive season-and-a-half stint at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.

Collins scored 19 times for Bolton across all competitions last season and finished as the side's top scorer, but he is now set to move on.

MK Dons closing in on Aaron Collins, Bolton Wanderers transfer deal

Sources close to FLW have revealed a deal has been struck with Bolton for Collins' services.

For the time being, the exact details of the fee to be forked out to Steven Schumacher's side to land Collins remain unclear, but previous reports have suggested that an equal sum to the £750,000 figure Bolton paid Bristol Rovers in February 2024 is the minimum of what will be required.

Nonetheless, it is understood that a deal has now been agreed and the Welshman's arrival at Stadium MK appears imminent.

Last week, MK were noted as holding a "strong" interest in Collins and have also faced reported competition from Cardiff City and Huddersfield Town, who are expected to rival Bolton for promotion to the Championship next season.

Warne reportedly attempted to sign Collins last year during his time in charge of Derby and, as FLW understands it, he is finally set to land his man - this time at MK.

Bolton Wanderers' Aaron Collins could be an outstanding signing for MK Dons

Bolton will need to act swiftly to get a replacement for Collins, who was the side's primary source of goals last time out as they missed out on a play-off finish in League One.

It does seem like a fairly-handsome fee will be coming their way, mind you, and Schumacher will surely have no shortage of forward targets to mull over as Collins edges ever closer to dropping back down to League Two.

For MK, however, this looks like it could be a seriously exciting deal.

The 28-year-old attacker has proven himself as one of the most productive forwards in League One over the last few seasons and struck on 15 occasions during his last campaign in League Two, which came with Bristol Rovers back in the 2021/22 campaign.

Collins has only further refined his game since then, however, and this represents a huge statement of intent from MK. With signings like Mendez-Laing and Collins, and under the stewardship of a manager well-versed in gaining promotion from League One - let alone League One - MK are intent on returning to the third-tier next season and have every chance of doing so.