Sources: Bolton Wanderers in advanced talks to sign West Ham striker Afolayan
Bolton Wanderers are in advanced talks to sign West Ham forward Oladapo Afolayan on a free transfer, Football Insider can exclusively reveal.
The 23-year-old impressed on loan at Bolton in the second half of the 2020-21 campaign and helped the League Two club secure promotion.
A recruitment source has told Football Insider that Bolton are close to converting Afolayan’s loan into a permanent deal.
His contract at the London Stadium expires at the end of next month so he is available as a free agent this summer.
Afolayan has contributed one goal and two assists in his 21 League Two appearances.
Bolton boss Ian Evatt chose to utilise him as a left-winger and it worked to great effect, with his side winning 15 of 21 games in which the loanee featured.
Speaking earlier this month, Evatt revealed he is “confident” the club can re-sign Afolayan and fellow loanee Declan John.
The Hammers signed Afolayan on a three-and-a-half year contract in January 2018 after an impressive spell at National League side Solihull Moors.
He scored 15 goals in 46 appearances for Solihull over the course of two seasons.
The versatile forward made just one senior appearance for West Ham, appearing as a substitute in a 4–0 FA Cup win against Doncaster Rovers in January of this year.
He featured predominantly for their youth sides, with his 36 appearances for the Irons’ Under-23s yielding nine goals and six assists.
Bolton initially set their sights on signing Afolayan after he scored five goals in nine Premier League 2 appearances at the back end of 2020.
In other news, West Ham are working on a blockbuster defender signing after Sullivan gives order.