Wanderers remain firmly in the hunt to sign Norway prospect Jonas Therkelsen
WANDERERS remain in the chase to sign Norwegian prospect Jonas Therkelsen, The Bolton News understands.
Ian Evatt is keen to bring the versatile 21-year-old to English football in the January transfer window and talks between Bolton and his club Strømsgodset have advanced in the last week.
Both Bolton and Polish title challengers Raków Częstochowa have had bids turned down this month, but the latter have since paid out £700,000 for another forward player, Leonardo Rocha, from Radomiak Radom, and are not thought to be in discussion any longer.
Therkelsen has also claimed in the Norwegian press that he is no rush to leave the club with whom he has spent his whole professional career to date, signing a new three-year deal in September.
Speaking to Drammens Tidende shortly after news of interest in England and Poland surfaced, he said: "I'm very happy here. I have confidence in what's happening, so I'm a Godset player for now.
“All footballers want adventure. Sure, it's fun, but right now I'm very happy here. It's going to take something very convincing to make me change my mind."
Therkelsen has made 63 senior appearances for Strømsgodset, having graduated through their B Team set-up, and has scored seven goals.
He has played in midfield this season but is equally comfortable as a striker and has represented Norway twice at Under-21 level.
Wanderers have one gap open in their squad at present and want to add a more physical option up front.
One possibility which was examined was Derby County’s veteran forward James Collins – but he has now completed a move to Lincoln City.
Bolton have other irons in the fire, but Evatt is thought to favour experience and is moving away from the possibility of bringing in an untested option from the Premier League on loan.
The club has made two signings thus far, attacking midfielder, Joel Randall, who cost £1.2million from Peterborough United, and Irish defender, Alex Murphy, who is on loan for the rest of the season from Newcastle United.
The January transfer window closes at 11pm on Monday, February 3.
