Bolton Wanderers face stiff competition from teams above them for Exeter City star Reece Cole ahead of the summer transfer window, according to the latest reports.
After failing to break into the first-team squads at Brentford and Queens Park Rangers, the midfielder moved down the pyramid to play non-league football for two years before eventually signing for Exeter in England’s third tier after a successful trial period.
🎯 A Reece Cole set-piece special for @OfficialECFC!#EFL | #SkyBetLeagueOne pic.twitter.com/6IBhV2mhgq
— Sky Bet League One (@SkyBetLeagueOne) February 7, 2024
His time in football certainly hasn’t followed the conventional linear progression of a football player but Cole’s talent is finally being recognised by teams in the upper echelons of League One and even the Championship.
The 27-year-old has scored seven goals this season for the Grecians, which is more than any other player at St. James Park. Furthermore, his impressive displays under former Wigan Athletic boss Gary Caldwell have caused his market value to soar to £150,000, as per Transfermarkt.
After a gruelling start to the 2023/24 campaign, the Devon-based club are currently on an eight-game unbeaten streak and sit inside the top half of the table. Cole’s superb displays playing behind Sonny Cox up top have been instrumental to this excellent run.
However, with stunning performances comes interest from bigger sharks. According to a report from Football Insider, Bolton Wanderers, Portsmouth and Championship outfit Preston North End are keeping tabs on the Exeter star as the summer market creeps ever closer.
Writer’s View
Cole still has just over a year left on his contract, having signed a deal until the summer of 2025. However, Exeter City won’t want to lose one of their prized assets for free in 12 months should they refuse to complete a deal with one of the interested parties over the coming weeks.
Nevertheless, the Grecians hold all the cards right now and Cole’s record of having scored seven goals and registered three assists this season in Devon will only add more and more value to his transfer fee that Bolton Wanderers or other chasing parties may have to pay.
