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A no nonsense, technical, defensive midfielder with good vision that would be a direct replacement for Nigel Reo-Coker. To be fair, it sounds way too good to be true but it looks like Bolton Wanderers have found the perfect candidate to replace the midfield engine that quit the Reebok after relegation. They call him "La Roca" or, in English, The Rock.
Carlos Sanchez stands six feet tall and is known to be a strong central midfielder. He spent the last five years at French side Valenciennes where he featured nearly 150 times, scoring eight goals over those five seasons. He's not one to shoot often, averaging less than one shot per game over the last season. His strength instead lies in his field vision. Sanchez is known to play effective long balls over the course of the match. GolTV play-by-play man and friend of the blog, Juan Arango, told us that Sanchez would fit into most Premier league sides well and quickly.
Reports have said that Premiership outfit Reading had already been in contact with him and even offered La Roca a deal. The hang-up was that the Royals wouldn't give him more than a year where Bolton are actually willing to give him more time. Sanchez also would require a work permit to play in England but given the fact that he's featured 25 times for Colombia (with a pair of goals in that time), he should walk it.
Bolton are "confident of clinching the deal if if they can secure a face-to-face meeting in the next couple of weeks" but there are a few other clubs in the mix. Udinese of Italy and Real Betis of Spain are also said to be keeping tabs.
As soon as we know more, we'll be sure to update.