Bolton Wanderers have seen a six-figure bid for Peterborough United midfielder Joel Randall rejected, according to Football Insider.
The 24-year-old has emerged as a target for the Trotters after impressing at the Weston Homes Stadium last season. With 12 goals in all competitions, only Ephron Mason-Clark scored more for Darren Ferguson’s team as Posh secured a fourth-placed finish in League One.
Ultimately, the campaign ended in heartbreak as Oxford United secured a two-legged victory over the Cambridgeshire-based side in the play-off semi-final. The U’s would then go on to triumph in the final at Wembley Stadium against Bolton.
Ian Evatt knows that the pressure is on having failed to secure promotion last term and efforts are being made to bolster his ranks. The third tier is arguably tougher than ever following the addition of Birmingham City, Huddersfield Town and Rotherham United to the division, whilst the likes of Stockport County and Wrexham from League Two will be no slouches.
It’s not a surprise to see Bolton targeting key players from a direct promotion rival such as Peterborough, although their opening offer has been rejected. Randall swapped Exeter City for the East of England in 2021 for a fee believed to be over £1 million, and it is claimed that a second bid is being prepared.
I forgot to say that the fee was 7 figures. Delighted to ensure more money gets invested through the great @EFL way it should be & to a club who produces incredible young players 👌🏻 https://t.co/4WwuREAzRG
— Darragh MacAnthony (@DMAC102) August 3, 2021
Should the attacking midfielder arrive at the Toughsheet Community Stadium, it would be Evatt’s fourth signing of the summer. They have already acquired the services of goalkeeper Luke Southwood, defender Chris Forino and midfielder Klaidi Lolos. Meanwhile, Peterborough have already lost Josh Knight to German outfit Hannover 96, whilst the futures of key stars Harrison Burrows and Ronnie Edwards continue to draw speculation.
Randall has 12 months remaining on his current deal having penned a four-year contract upon his arrival.
Writer’s View
Bolton know that they need to add further quality to their squad to be able to compete with the teams which have come down from the Championship. Peterborough are one of the sides expected to feature in the upper reaches of League One so it’s not surprising to see the Trotters try to weaken a direct rival.
Randall is a player who could slot straight into an already talented team and would offer an additional goal threat for Ian Evatt. This is already a group who know where the back of the net is, having scored 86 goals last season. Interestingly, only Posh scored more and having lost Mason-Clark to Coventry City and Jonson Clarke-Harris on a free, Randall’s potential departure would mean they enter next season without their three top goal scorers from the previous campaign.
Head of Writing