WANDERERS are in discussions with defender Ricardo Santos about a new deal at the UniBol.

Ian Evatt confirmed this afternoon that the club is looking to extend the centre-back’s contract beyond the summer of 2022.

Ex-Peterborough United man Santos joined Bolton in the summer after three years with Barnet in the National League and has recovered from a slow start to become one of the leading lights in League Two.

Evatt hopes Swansea City loanee Declan John will stay with the Whites beyond the summer if Wanderers can finish the campaign well – but news that the club is looking to cement another of its top assets will be well received with the supporters.

“You can never stand still in football, you have always got to be planning,” he said. “We are certainly doing that behind the scenes.

“If we can keep Declan John – and whisper is quietly how well he is doing because we’d like to be at the front of the queue for the summer – and Rico has been doing outstandingly well. We’re currently in talks with him about a new contract, which is progressing really well.

“We’re a club which is being proactive. We have really got our house in order now and know what we’re doing. There’s a plan and a structure behind what we are looking to do.

Asked how far along the discussions with Santos might be, the Bolton boss added: “From what I understand it’s just the final details. We’ll have an announcement soon – well, I hope so anyway!”