Bolton Wanderers manager Ian Evatt has discussed his side’s interest in Kilmarnock’s Danny Armstrong and Szabolcs Schon from Fehérvár.
The Trotters finished the 2023/24 campaign in third place as they reached the play-offs for the second consecutive season. However, they fell at the final hurdle with a defeat against Oxford United at Wembley Stadium in May.
To improve upon last season’s woes, they have already been busy in the transfer window. They have strengthened their midfielder by signing Klaidi Lolos from Crawley Town and Scott Arfield from Charlotte in the MLS.
Right winger Armstrong is one of the club’s targets due to his great performances for Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership, where he finished the campaign with six goals and 10 assists. On the other hand, Szabolcs Schön is predominantly a left winger and is coming off the back of a successful season in the top tier of Hungarian football.
Amid the new rules introduced by the FA, clubs in League One are now able to sign two players per season who do not meet the current points requirements of the international visa system. This has allowed the Whites to expand their network of data in the last 12 months.
“Since the rules have changed and we have two spots, we are in a position to take advantage of them,” Evatt told The Bolton News.
“It opens up the market for us and players who would not necessarily have been accessible to us in the past.
“Certain positions are very hard to find in this country, for instance, it is a really big help to be able to recruit from overseas.
“It’s not necessarily rooting for other teams (European qualifiers) – but in one case, certainly, we are waiting for the conclusion of that match to get to the next stage.”
Writer’s View
These are ambitious signings for Bolton that if they are completed will be hugely beneficial in their bid to return to the Championship after six years of absence. The duo have shown their qualities in their time at their separate clubs and are good enough to play in European competitions. Their experiences will differ from the bulk of the squad, which could also be important.
However, as both players are wingers, will a system change be implemented and will it work immediately? Ian Evatt’s side has used their five at the back with two strikers for years now, therefore changing the playstyle could also have negative effects.
