Evatt seeking value for money amid reports of rejected offer for Posh star

IAN Evatt will be backed with cash in the transfer market this summer – but the Bolton boss insists value for money will remain his highest priority.

With three signings already completed, Wanderers have been strongly linked with a fourth in Peterborough United’s attacking midfielder, Joel Randall.

Reports claim a six-figure bid has been turned down for the 24-year-old, who played 56 games for Posh last season, scoring 12 goals and providing 11 assists.

Randall joined Peterborough in 2021 for a fee in excess of £1miilion from Exeter City and it is thought he has 12 months left on his contract at London Road.

Evatt has told supporters to expect a “busy summer” on the recruitment front and having already landed the signings of Klaidi Lolos, Luke Southwood and Chris Forino, the addition of Randall would be a significant statement if it came off.

But speaking last week, the Bolton boss warned that increased support from the board this summer would not mean the club would be League One’s biggest spenders.

“The board have been incredible and we are all on the same page that we need to improve, and I’ll be getting the tools behind the scenes to do that,” he said.

“There are lots of conversations taking place, lots of things happening, but unlike previous years the squad isn’t in its final state where we are today, there is going to be work and progress through the whole of pre-season.

“I have never asked for anything here and I don’t put the board under any pressure in terms of what we want to spend. They came to me and said ‘we want to give you everything you need to achieve your goals’ and we are going to work very hard to bring the right players in.

“Are we going to be the biggest spenders? No. Are we going to be the lowest? Definitely not.

“It will be really competitive and the board has been outstanding not only on recruitment but with the work at Lostock as well, it is really important to where this club is heading. We are ready to go and we have got a clear plan of what we need to do.”