WANDERERS are in the market to sign one of the hottest free agents in the EFL this summer in former Coventry City defender Fankaty Dabo.

The 27-year-old was released by the Sky Blues after their Championship play-off final defeat against Luton Town and is now wanted by a string of clubs – both in League One and the division above.

Dabo fits the bill for Wanderers, who are looking for a permanent signing to replace one of last season’s loan success stories in Conor Bradley.

The former Chelsea youth product came through the England youth system and is well-known to Bolton’s recruitment chief Chris Markham. He was part of the Coventry side that gained promotion in 2019/20 and has been a regular in Mark Robins’ side for the last three seasons in the division above.

Sadly, his final game at Wembley saw him miss the crucial spot kick that gave Luton Town a route to the Premier League, but he remains held in high regard by the club’s supporters and the clamour for his signature this summer gives an indication of what quality he could add, particularly if Bolton could convince him to drop down a level.

Bolton do have other irons in the fire and are looking to keep their transfer business as low key as possible as they look to pick-off the very best bargains in the market.

Ian Evatt feels he has a budget which can attract players capable of pushing the club towards automatic promotion next season and is also looking to add two new goalkeepers.

It seems likely that the Bolton boss will bring in a younger player on loan, just as he did with James Trafford last season, alongside a more experienced option signed on a permanent basis.

Brighton’s James Beadle is the first name which has hit the headlines, the 18-year-old having spent a couple of months on loan with Crewe in League Two last season before an ankle injury sent him back to his parent club for treatment.

Beadle is another England youth international who played 45 minutes for his country at the World Cup in May.

Crewe have already asked about taking him on loan again but manager Lee Bell anticipated that his club would have company from clubs in the division above.

“We will do everything possible to get him here next season, but he will definitely have suitors from higher up.

“We’ve already had conversations with Brighton, and I’ve explained what we can offer James.

"They have plans for how they’d like him to progress, so we will have to see.

“Brighton are a great club to work with, they have helped us massively.

"They just want what is best for their young players, which is refreshing.

"There will be competition, and James and Brighton will have to make a decision.”