Source: Everton make Chris Eagles inquiry

The man who many thought would be Bolton's hottest property in the transfer market has started living up to his reputation. According to a source, Everton have inquired about Chris Eagles, the man who is top of Bolton's leading scorer list.

Eagles has appeared in each and every one of Bolton's matches this season. In fact, he's started all but one match, the season-opening loss away to Burnley. Since then, Eagles has scored seven goals and assisted a further 12 Championship goals, meaning that he is responsible for 19 of Bolton's 39 goals for on the season, or just under half of the goals that Bolton Wanderers have scored on the season.

Eagles was off to a flying start, scoring six times in the season's first 12 matches. His goal-scoring has since cooled off considerably, as he has scored only once in the last 15 games with that goal coming in the 2-2 draw at Huddersfield Town.

That said, don't get it twisted as Chris Eagles is still very much Bolton's danger-man. He is consistently on the ball and pushing towards goal and has come close on a number of occasions. There would have been another goal to his name had the referee not called for a penalty at Peterborough and he came very close against Leeds United on New Years Day, just scraping the post. Despite only scoring one goal in that 15 game stretch, Eagles has assisted seven.

The thing that makes Eagles an appealing proposition for Everton is his versatility. He can play across the midfield and has done so on numerous occasions for Bolton, lining up on both wings as well as behind the forward. He is also able to change his on-field position on a whim and does so fluidly.

Everton have had injury troubles with Seamus Coleman and Kevin Mirallas lately and would welcome not only the competition but the cover as well. However, Everton also have the likes of Steven Pienaar, Steven Naismith, and Magaye Gueye all playing in wing positions.

There is no word on Eagles' potential sale price or whether Bolton would even be willing to move him.

For us, we hope that the Trotters do hold on to Chris Eagles. He's been Bolton's liveliest spark for the vast majority of this season. Whatever money Bolton would get for him would not be substantial and thus would not lead to major reinvestment.

Eagles' current contract runs until the summer of 2014.