Wycombe Wanderers have been knocked back in their attempt to extend midfielder Aaron Morley’s loan by fellow League One outfit Bolton Wanderers.
The 24-year-old joined the Chairboys on a season-long loan in August and has played a starring role in the middle of the park. However, with Wycombe challenging for the title, Bolton boss Ian Evatt confirmed last week that they would be looking to bring him back to the Toughsheet Community Stadium unless a significant permanent offer is made.
Bucks Free Press reported that the fee the Trotters are looking for could be up to £500,000, but so far Wycombe have only offered an improved sum for a temporary deal.
Ian Evatt Confirms Offer
Speaking after yesterday’s 3-0 win over Lincoln City, Evatt confirmed that discussions had taken place with Wycombe over Morley’s immediate future. Speaking to The Bolton News, the 43-year-old said:
“As it stands Aaron will be recalled. Wycombe have made some substantial offers for him but at the moment, nothing permanently. They have asked for another loan with a significant fee and we’ll look at things and see what we need to do. But as it stands right now he will be recalled.
“At the minute it is just an offer to loan him for the remainder of the season, with a significant fee, which is around the money we paid for him in the transfer agreement in the first place with a bit more money on other things, ratchets on bonuses and stuff.
“We know Aaron is a really good player and we wanted to get him fit and confident again, and I still say he can have a huge impact on our group.”
The report also states that Morley could be back in Bolton’s squad for the New Year’s Day trip to Mansfield Town.
Writer’s View
Bolton’s stance may seem harsh on the face of it, especially as they were willing to let Morley join a League One rival in the summer. However, few could have predicted Wycombe would be challenging in the upper reaches of the division this season.
The Trotters also harbour promotion ambitions, so it is understandable they will want to gain from strengthening a team they could be in direct competition with at the business end of the campaign. Another loan won’t benefit Bolton, but a six-figure sum could be reinvested straight back into the playing squad.
