Wanderers are poised to announce their first signing of the transfer window today – but the race for more fresh faces is likely to go right down to the wire.
US international Tim Ream will finally be confirmed as a Bolton player this afternoon after being granted a work permit, which left him free to complete his £2million move from New York Red Bulls.
The 24-year-old defender is unlikely to be available for this weekend’s FA Cup clash with Swansea City as he ties up some loose ends over in the States.
Owen Coyle’s pursuit of attacking options, however, is proving a more frustrating exercise.
An offer remains on the table for Tottenham’s bright young Mexican midfielder Giovani Dos Santos, who is desperate to leave White Hart Lane, but is understood to favour a move to La Liga if a firm bid materialises.
Villarreal and Racing Santander have made enquiries about the £4m-rated former Barcelona star, but Wanderers are the only club to have made put an offer in writing and they are hoping he will choose to prove himself in the Premier League, where his chances at Spurs have been limited.
Dos Santos is still only 22 but boasts an incredible 53 caps for his country. He has been in North London for nearly four years, but has made just two starts for the club in the league.
Coyle has been a keen admirer since watching him break through at Barcelona and star for Mexico at the Under-17 World Cup in 2007, and could offer the youngster a chance to sign on loan until the end of the season before making up his mind about a permanent move.
Any transfer for Blackburn Rovers star Junior Hoilett looks dead and buried, with the Canadian winger determined to hold out for a lucrative free transfer in the summer - which has forced Coyle to look at other options in the short term.
Tottenham want to bring in a replacement for Dos Santos if he leaves before Tuesday’s deadline, and that could go some way to explaining why the move is currently in limbo.
Coyle also wants to land a striker and while Guinea international Ismael Bangoura has been monitored, the difficulty in securing necessary paperwork could hinder any deal.
The 27-year-old impressed for Dynamo Kiev earlier in his career and was touted for a move to Arsenal at one point, but was de-registered by his club in the United Arab Emirates, Al Nasr, because of his involvement in the African Nations Cup, which could potentially run until mid-February.
A decision is also imminent on French striker Sebastien Le Toux, who recently spent a week on trial with Wanderers.
The Philadelphia Union striker would be within Coyle’s budget, and writing on his official Twitter account, said he had enjoyed his first taste of the Premier League.
“I spent a great week at BWFC. Great club with great people. Now back in Philly,” he said.
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