Bolton Wanderers want Arran Lee-Barrett back for keeps

The 30-year-old stopper was signed on a short-term deal last October after an injury to Adam Bogdan but impressed enough to stay until the end of the season.

The arrival of young keeper Rob Fitzsimons from Crystal Palace this summer cast doubts on whether Lee-Barrett would be re-signed but The Bolton News understands Dougie Freedman is hoping to offer him a contract before the Championship campaign kicks off against Watford on August 9.

Both Adam Bogdan and Andy Lonergan are in the final year of their current deals, and thus could be open to offers from elsewhere, while Fitzsimons will be moved straight into the development squad.

Lee-Barrett is seen as a safe pair of hands but is anxious to see his future sorted as clubs up and down the country returned for pre-season training yesterday.

Meanwhile, Marvin Sordell’s protracted move to Burnley rumbled on yesterday – with the Premier League club still waiting to confirm him officially as a Clarets player.

Once they do, the focus will inevitably shift towards whether Wanderers will divert funds into their pursuit of top striker target Lukas Jutkiewicz.

Reports in the North East revealed yesterday the 25-year-old returned to pre-season training with the Middlesbrough squad and suggested manager Aitor Karanka was holding out for £1.3million before agreeing to sell.

It is understood Derby County are the only club to have tested the water with a bid of £1million, which was turned down, but are still interested in signing the former Everton man.

Former Crystal Palace defender Jonathan Parr is also expected to speak with Wanderers in the next couple of days.

According to reports in his home country of Norway this summer, the full-back has interested Premier League clubs such as West Ham and QPR and Polish champions Legia Warsaw.

But provided a deal can be struck with the 25-year-old, Freedman is confident he will land the player he signed for £300,000 at Crystal Palace two years ago on a free transfer.