Bolton Wanderers left frustrated in striker pursuit

Bolton have been left frustrated in their hunt for additional firepower, with Portsmouth blocking a loan move for Reeco Hackett-Fairchild according to Football Insider.

Hackett-Fairchild moved to Fratton Park last season after catching the eye in the National League with Bromley, helping them to fourth place in the table prior to his departure. He bagged eight goals for the Ravens and it was thought a host of Football League clubs were been keeping tabs on him.

Kenny Jackett won the race for the former Charlton youngster, but his game time on the south coast has been limited. The 21-year-old began life as a trainee at Dagenham & Redbridge before a move to the Addicks following a successful trial. He made 24 appearances for them before dropping out of the Football League with Bromley.

He appeared just once in Pompey colours, playing 63 minutes of their EFL trophy win at Walsall in January. That led to speculation he could depart on loan, with both Colchester and Hull thought to be interested in his services. However, it seems that Swindon and Bolton both made moves for the pacey forward, both of which were rebuffed.

Bolton manager Ian Evatt confirmed he was looking at loan signings to bolster his squad, but the Football Insider report suggested wages were a stumbling block. Pompey are thought to have wanted his wages paid in full, whilst Bolton were only willing to meet them halfway.

The ball is now likely back in the Trotters court in terms of negotiations, although with no shortage of interested clubs he may have to settle for a move elsewhere.

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Our View

The obvious destination now is surely Colchester, if they can meet the wage demands. Would Portsmouth consider sending him to Hull, a League One rival? It’s surely unlikely and if not, then League Two is the other choice.

Colchester works geographically for the player, having played in London before. Bolton would have represented a major shift for him, but as a big club in League Two the attraction for a player is obvious. We wonder if the ‘fuming‘ was designed to attract clicks though, because it does seem to suggest a rift which, after just six months with Pompey, probably isn’t entriely the case.