WANDERERS are preparing to go the long haul after pulling out of the race to sign Manchester City youngster Bersant Celina.

Ipswich Town were last night putting the finishing touches of a season-long loan move for the Kosovo international, who had been one of Phil Parkinson’s most publicised targets so far this summer.

Celina held talks with Wanderers earlier this month and had still been speaking positively about his chances of signing. As recently as last weekend he answered reporters in Norway asking about his next move: “Most likely, Bolton.”

But The Bolton News has now learned Celina was viewed a ‘back-up’’ and after getting encouragement on other attacking midfielder the Whites are now pursuing a different, permanent signing.

Wanderers remain confident they will come out of embargo and are planning their transfers accordingly, casting the net far and wide. But Parkinson is facing up to the possibility much of his business could be done in July and beyond.

Parkinson has wrapped up contract talks with a number of last season’s squad, although negotiations with Jay Spearing and Filipe Morais have stretched on longer than expected.

Confirmation of ex-Bristol City full-back Mark Little on a two-year deal was given last night but some targets have visibly fallen by the wayside. Bradford City full-back James Meredith opted to join Millwall and representatives of Brazilian defender Raphael Branco claiming he turned down Bolton and Peterborough United to join Portuguese side Boavista.

It is also understood Bolton have stepped back from the race to sign Northern Ireland international Niall McGinn, who had been tracked at the end of last season by chief scout Tim Breacker.

Yesterday marked 50 days until the start of the season, and it is exactly three weeks until Parkinson’s side compete in their first friendly at Chorley.