Ken Anderson, Bolton’s chairman, has revealed that the Blues gave Arsenal a ‘slight discount’ on Rob Holding as the Gunners agreed to pay his bonuses early.

It was previously reported that Arsenal had agreed to pay Bolton Holding’s bonuses earlier than expected to help the Championship side out. Anderson confirmed this during a recent Q & A, and revealed that while his club actually gave the Gunners a discount, they get a considerable sell-on fee if we chose to let the centre-back go.

“The money for Rob Holding’s appearances could have taken one year to come through, or if he isn’t playing it could have taken 10 years. It’s unlikely to be 10 but it could have been four or five years,” the Bolton chairman said.

“I took the view that it was better to reach an agreement with Arsenal and bring that forward, do a slight discount on that, and they did.”

Anderson added, “There are still monies due from Arsenal and if they sell him we are due a substantial sell-on.

“I’m not allowed to go into it because the clubs signed a confidentiality agreement.”

Holding cost Arsenal around £2m last year, which the club most likely paid in full at the time. However, some add-ons are appearance-based, which means that, as Anderson says, they can take years to come through.

With the January transfer window just around the corner, Bolton’s transfer embargo lifted and the Championship team struggling down in the relegation zone, you can totally understand why they chose to take a slight financial hit in the long-run in favour of an immediate pay-off.

Anderson revealed that Bolton are in the market for three or four players in January, which will come as welcome news to their fans considering their terrible form.

It’s good to hear that Arsenal have helped out Holding’s former club and I’m sure the 22-year-old is pleased.