WANDERERS are already lining up their next move after abandoning their pursuit of Bristol City’s Kane Wilson.

Ian Evatt has shifted his sights to a new right wing-back after attempts to sign the 23-year-old former Forest Green star ground to a halt at the weekend.

Bolton were keen on Wilson and had tabled a bid of around £200,000 but the move broke down in the latter stages and though efforts were made to get the two clubs talking again, the Whites are now understood to be pursuing other interests.

The player had been keen on a fresh start in the North West but having done their due diligence, Wanderers have decided that other available options are a better fit.

Wilson managed only seven appearances last season after his move to the Championship because of a knee injury sustained in October. The lengthy absence saw him drop down the pecking order at Aston Gate and play just once more before the end of the season.

Evatt has already brought in the highly-rated Josh Dacres-Cogley from Tranmere Rovers on the right side of his defence but does want more competition as he looks to fill the gap left by Conor Bradley’s return to Liverpool.

Wilson was seen as the same sort of mobile defensive wide man, and he had earned a good reputation with his work in League Two, winning the divisional player of the year award in 2021/22. Any frustration that the transfer has not panned out will be fleeting, however, as Wanderers’ recruitment team have already picked out other options which will be available this summer and alternative bids are being prepared.

Reports in the UK and Germany linking Bolton with Schalke midfielder Florian Flick are also thought to be wide of the mark.

Speculation has steadily built up over the last few weeks linking the former Germany Under-21 international with a move to League One, but it is understood that no move is on the cards.

Wanderers had also hoped to wrap up the signing of St Mirren's Australia international midfielder Keanu Baccus before their trip to Portugal. Work permit problems had been blamed for the transfer stalling - but it is understood that a rival bidder from the Championship has also emerged at the 11th hour, which could now present an issue.