Exclusive: Wolves set sights on signing Bolton rising star amid contract reveal

Founder & Managing Director AUTHORITY Former chief correspondent at Evening Standard, Goal and Press Association with nearly three decades in national, regional and digital news and sports journalism. Wayne directs the network’s news strategy and high-level operations. FOCUS Editorial direction for the 11-site network and newsroom management. THE BRIEF Wayne oversees the network’s editorial standards across the network. He provides the final sign-off on all headline scoops, ensuring content across all platforms meets the standards required for a high-velocity newsroom.

Published on:

20 Jan 2021, 12:01 pm

Wolves are among a number of top Premier League clubs keeping tabs on Bolton Wanderers rising star Finlay Lockett, Football Insider can reveal.

Lockett is a 17-year-old left winger who is a 2nd-year scholar at the club and has made five appearances for the club's first-team.

A recruitment source has told Football Insider he is yet to be handed a pro deal due to the financial situation at Bolton.

Lockett became Bolton's second youngest ever debutant at just 16 last season and made two further appearances last term.

He has added to his senior experience this season and was handed his full debut by Ian Evatt in the Trotters' 2-1 loss to Shrewsbury Town in the EFL Trophy in October.

The Englishman has not featured for Evatt's side the visit of Shrewsbury but has instead been a regular for the club's Under-18s.

He has eight goals and seven assists in 14 appearances for the Under-18s this season.

Wolves are no strangers to dipping into the lower leagues to poach the best young talent.

Last January they completed a seven-figure deal for Rochdale defender Luke Matheson before loaning him back to the League One side.

If Lockett was to follow Matheson from the North West to Molineux he would likely link up with the club's Under-23 side in Premier League 2, as Matheson has done.

Bolton scrapped their Under-23s side at the end of last season meaning a move to the Midlands could be perfect for Lockett's development.

In other news, Football Insider Wolves are set to be beaten to a loan-to-buy striker signing by West Brom after Sam Allardyce talks.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Bolton Wanderers