Whites on Greening alert (From The Bolton News)

Whites on Greening alert

4:50pm Monday 6th July 2009 in

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WANDERERS are poised to switch to Plan B after their long-standing pursuit of Swansea City midfielder Ferrie Bodde hit the rocks.

And West Brom midfielder Jonathan Greening could be one of the names in the frame.

Despite reports to the contrary emanating from South Wales, The Bolton News understands the Whites did table a second and final bid for Dutchman Bodde on Friday afternoon, believed to be worth in the region of £3.5million.

With Swans chairman Huw Jenkins holding out for £5m, a figure that is highly unlikely to be matched, Gary Megson may now be forced to look elsewhere for the goal-scoring central midfielder that he has made his number one priority this summer.

The Wanderers boss has already landed Sean Davis from the list of potential signings he compiled in May, and should find the cover at left-back he desired by wrapping up the deal for West Brom’s Paul Robinson this week.

But central to his plan to change his side’s style of play next season will be a midfield lynchpin capable of chipping in with goals from the middle of the park.

Gavin McCann, Fabrice Muamba and former skipper Kevin Nolan — the trio who played the majority of the season in central midfield for Wanderers last season — failed to score a Premier League goal between them.

And that is why the Whites boss is desperate to find the right man to solve the problem this summer.

It will not have escaped Megson’s notice that Greening’s name has started to circulate in the transfer gossip columns over the last few weeks.

Having signed the former Manchester United trainee at the Hawthorns, the Wanderers boss would head any queue to do the same at the Reebok should West Brom show any sign that they would let him leave.

Fulham have already been warned off a £2million offer for the 30-year-old, although reports at the weekend suggest he is looking to stay in the Premier League after the Baggies’ relegation last season.

Another name that has cropped up as a potential Megson target is Manchester City’s Switzerland international, Gelson Fernandes.

The club have previously denied any links with the dynamic 22-year-old but recent reports suggest he has been made available at a knockdown price after struggling to find regular first team football at Eastlands.

Much of his game time since signing for City has come from the bench, leaving him with a record of just three goals from 43 appearances.