Arsenal, Everton and Bournemouth target, Rob Holding, was dropped by Bolton’s interim manager, Jimmy Phillips, amid speculation that the centre-back is on his way to the Premier League.

The defender was left out of the Championship match against Fulham after the board of directors requested he be dropped.

“I was asked by the board of directors not to play him yesterday,” Phillips said.

“He was in the line-up on Friday morning but that’s as much as I know.

“It would appear some clubs are interested in him somewhere down the line. I think the wheels are still in motion on that one and it’ll be a few days before we get an outcome.

“If the deal goes ahead and the money is used to improve the squad as a whole then we can judge then whether it was a positive outcome.”

The 20-year-old has featured 30 times for the Trotters this season in all competitions, which, considering his age, is pretty good going. He’s also comfortable on the ball and considering Gabriel is giving us all heart palpitations, it might be worth shaking things up a bit as far as our back four is concerned.

Even if he’s intended for the u21s, it’ll be good to have another able defender come through the ranks.

It’s looking as if we’re likely to get him and it’s comforting to see us trying to get our business done nice and early. Hopefully, the rest of our transfer dealings follow soon after.