Portsmouth, Preston and Bolton Wanderers line up moves to sign Reece Cole – sources
Preston North End, Bolton Wanderers and Portsmouth are plotting moves for Exeter City midfielder Reece Cole, sources have told Football Insider.
Cole, 26, has caught the eye in League One this season after joining the Grecians last summer (2023).
The former Brentford youngster has excelled in central midfield with seven goals and three assists across 37 appearances in the third tier.
Championship side Preston and League One promotion hopefuls Portsmouth and Bolton are all keeping tabs on Cole as they weigh up a move for the midfielder in the summer transfer window.
He will enter the final 12 months of his contract at St James Park in June.
Exeter star Cole wanted by Preston and League One duo
Cole initially joined Exeter on a six-month deal after impressing on trial at the Devon club last year.
He earned an 18-month extension after his stellar performances in the first half of the 2023-24 campaign.
The midfielder started his career at Brentford, making his debut and only appearance for the club in 2017.
He was eventually released by the Bees in 2020 after a string of loan spells in England and Scotland’s lower leagues.
Cole was playing for Level 7 club Hayes and Yeading last season before being given the chance to impress at Exeter.
He has made 40 appearances across all competitions this term and has even captained the Grecians under manager Gary Caldwell.
Preston saw their Championship playoff aims halted by Norwich on Saturday (13 April), while Portsmouth and Bolton are racing for promotion to the second tier in the final weeks of this season.
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