NEIL Lennon admits Wanderers are ripe for investment amidst heavy speculation the club are being earmarked by a wealthy Irish consortium.

While reports of outside interest continue to be strongly played down at the Macron Stadium they have nevertheless gathered pace in the last few days.

Wanderers legend John McGinlay is among those who have spoken publicly about negotiations with the mystery backers, which are reported to have taken place last week.

But some sources claim the potential investment carries a caveat that Whites owner Eddie Davies must wipe off the debt owed to him – which currently stands at more than £150million.

Lennon refused to confirm or deny the speculation but did offer his thoughts on the prospect of a deal after Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw with Charlton Athletic, claiming any outside backer would be walking into an excellent opportunity.

“I’ve no idea about it but if there is going to be investment, whoever it may be, they’d be investing in an excellent football club,” he told The Bolton News.

“They would be welcome, obviously, and it is a very good club. I’m very happy here.

“If there is investment then it will be great news, if not, then we’ll continue to build the club as best we can.”

Eidur Gudjohnsen, Emile Heskey and Filip Twardzik are the only permanent signings Lennon has made since coming to Wanderers in October, his injury-hit squad supplemented with a raft of loan players.

But the Northern Irishman claims he has reduced the wage bill as a whole, with big earners such as Chung-Yong Lee, Jay Spearing and Medo Kamara farmed out elsewhere either permanently or on loan.

Those cuts could be set to continue unless Wanderers attract extra financial backing this summer, with just one parachute payment remaining from their 11-year stay in the Premier League.

“It would be handy because we haven’t spent a penny,” Lennon said of prospective backing. “We’ve brought in two OAPs who have been brilliant for us.

“But we sold our best player in Chung-Yong Lee, cut the wage bill down and lost a lot of people to injury.

“There might be more trimming to do if investment doesn’t come in. If it does, then we have to see what budget we’ve got and spent it in the various areas.”

Wanderers have made little secret of their desire to attract outside investment but their reluctance to discuss the matter in the public arena could stem from last year’s dalliance with Thai investment group BEC Tero and the Siam Sports Syndicate.

Strong rumours have also circulated in the last fortnight that another international group, based in Israel, have expressed an interest.

Wanderers’ last set of financial figures showed a significant slow-down in their losses, with net debt rising to £172.9million, the vast majority of which is owed to Davies.