Report says Bolton, Blackburn lead chase for Middlesbrough target Samba Sow

The summer transfer window is in full effect, people. Bolton Wanderers have already confirmed one signing today and have also been linked with a South Korean international. Now, a new report from Sky Sports has linked the Trotters with 24-year-old Lens and Mali midfielder Samba Sow. The report says that Blackburn and Bolton are currently leading the chase for the midfielder with other clubs, including, but not limited to, Middlesbrough also looking at him.

Sow is primarily a central defensive midfielder for club and country, though he has the ability to play slightly more advanced. If he were to come to Bolton, he would be competing with Medo Kamara, Josh Vela, and (possibly) Stu Holden for a spot. Medo is currently the only out-and-out defensive midfielder on the squad and it was his inclusion in the team last year alongside Jay Spearing that really helped to shore up Bolton's defense.

The tall midfielder's (he stands at just over six feet tall) current team, Lens, are stuck in mid-table of Ligue 2, having finished in 12th place the last two seasons after dropping out of Ligue 1 during the 2010/11 season. The midfielder made his debut for Mali at 20 years old and has been capped 22 times in the last four years.

He was first linked with Middlesbrough back in April, to which he responded that he was "flattered." Speaking to Sky Sports then, he said:

"I am flattered by the interest of a good club like Middlesbrough.

"I just want to finish the season strongly and we will see, but I will take an opportunity to join the English League even if it is not the Premier League. I think the Championship is also the best second league in the world."