WANDERERS have changed direction in the transfer market after abandoning their pursuit of Bradford City’s Charlie Wyke.

Sunderland were last night on the verge of signing the striker for £500,000 – and could pay £1million should they get promotion from League One this season.

Wanderers had stepped back from the deal in recent weeks as the 25-year-old recovered from a knee injury and began to assess alternative targets. But it is understood talks continued between Bolton and Bradford in the interim and that he was still an active target up until the last few days.

Ken Anderson has voiced his intention to pay only what he considers is market worth for new signings – but rather than tighten the purse strings, the indications are the Bolton chairman has already sanctioned another move, this time for a midfielder.

The identity of the new man was a closely-guarded secret as The Bolton News went to press last night but it is expected the deal will be completed prior to this weekend’s big Championship kick off against West Brom.

Wanderers are still in the market for another striker despite spending £200,000 on Northern Ireland international Josh Magennis earlier this week, and Ipswich Town’s Joe Garner has been strongly tipped as the man they will turn to.

The former Preston North End striker scored 10 goals in 32 games at Portman Road last season and even though there is a paucity of strikers at Ipswich right now, Garner is not thought to be in the long-term plans of new boss Paul Hurst.

Meanwhile, Everton’s £18m deal to land Barcelona left-back Lucas Digne has given Antonee Robinson the opportunity to leave Goodison Park on loan - but the chances of him coming to Bolton now look extremely slim.

The 20-year-old has also been offered the chance to sign a new contract before he leaves Merseyside – but reports suggest Wigan Athletic are now in the driving seat to take him on loan.

Ex-Everton boss Joe Royle has been advising the Latics' new board on transfers and is believed to have had a big say in the club's impending decision to send him to the DW Stadium.

Robinson played 30 times in the Championship last season and became a fans’ favourite in his first year as a professional, breaking into the US international team this summer.

Wanderers are lacking in competition on the left side of defence, with Andy Taylor the only current option.