Bolton set to sign out-of-contract defender Baptiste

With a whole host of sides after out-of-contract Alex Baptiste, Bolton Wanderers have reportedly emerged victorious in the race for the defender's signature. As Derby County manager Nigel Clough (who was also interested in picking Baptiste up) put it:

"We are interested, along with I would think three quarters of the Championship and maybe one or two clubs in the Premier League.

"There are very few good defenders out of contract at the moment and so there will be a lot of interest in him, so some stiff competition.

"He is probably the pick of the defenders available at the moment.

"We will wait on him but not too long because we'll need to know reasonably quickly. If we cannot get him, we will move on."

It is a report out of the Bolton News that broke the story and claims that the Trotters have added Baptiste to their ranks for next season.

Baptiste, 27, has been with Blackpool since the 2008 season when he signed from Mansfield Town for a reported fee of just £15,000, having come through the Stags' youth ranks. Baptiste would make 187 appearances for Blackpool in four years at the club and is a right-footed defender that can play across the back four but his preferences lie on the right side or center of defense. Baptiste captained the Tangerines.

As mentioned earlier, Derby County were interested in Baptiste's signature as was newly-promoted Hull City among a whole host of other clubs. Assuming the signing, subject to a medical, goes through, he will join Marc Tierney in Bolton's new-look defense.