Bolton Wanderers transfer concern issued over Preston North End forward - he may have "a tough time" | OneFootball

FLW's Bolton fan pundit has given his verdict on the potential addition of Will Keane this summer

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Bolton Wanderers have been linked with a move to sign Will Keane from Preston North End this summer.

As per Alan Nixon, the Trotters are interested in the exeprienced attacker, although according to The Bolton News, the forward is not high on their priority list - he could make the switch to the League One side before the end of the summer.

The 32-year-old featured 27 times in the Championship last season, but he contributed with just three goals in Paul Heckingbottom’s side as he spent time out injured, as well as rarely starting.

His future at Deepdale is now uncertain, especially after the addition of Michael Smith on a two-year deal after his exit from Sheffield Wednesday.

Will Keane concern raised amid Bolton Wanderers transfer interest

When asked about Keane potentially joining the club, FLW’s Bolton fan pundit Liam O’Meara raised some concerns over how welcoming the supporters will be to an ex-Wigan Athletic and Manchester United player.

He believes that the 32-year-old could be a smart option, but warned that he’ll need a strong start to life in Steven Schumacher’s side, should he join.

“He clearly matches a type of profile of striker that we’re after and the team is young, so some experience in the team wouldn’t do us any harm whatsoever,” O’Meara told Football League World.

“I think Will Keane’s issue is the clubs that he’s played for won’t necessarily endear him to a lot of Bolton Wanderers fans.

“The fact that he’s 32, he’s potentially coming off a drier spell in terms of goals doesn’t help.

“When you factor in the time he spent at Wigan, Man United, Preston, it’s hardly going to endear him to the Bolton Wanderers fan base for a start.

“So, I don’t think they should be avoiding it because on a one-year deal potentially, it does look like a smart bit of business.

“But, I think he’ll have a tough time at Bolton if he doesn’t start well.”

Will Keane addition would add some necessary depth for Steven Schumacher

Keane coming in on potentially a one-year deal could make a lot of sense as he’d add some necessary depth to Schumacher’s squad.

Bolton have already added Sam Dalby to their ranks, and also have Dan Nlundulu and Victor Adeboyejo to choose from, but with Schumacher likely to set up in a 4-2-3-1 with John McAtee behind a centre-forward, the pursuing of another striker could see one of Nlundulu or Adeboyejo - or both - depart.

Keane has plenty of Championship experience, and scored 13 goals in one season as recently as the 2023/24 campaign for North End - he's even more proven at League One level too, scoring 26 times for Wigan in the 2021-22 third tier season.