Transfer Gossip: Dougie "Deals Almost Done"

In conversation with the BEN, Bolton Wanderers manager Dougie Freedman has revealed that despite the summer transfer window being closed for another few weeks he is stealing a march on his Championship rivals by getting his transfer business done nice and early.

Freedman said:

"I already know who my targets are but, of course, I always leave one or two spaces in case something comes up or jumps out at you,"

He then added

"We've made noises about those players and obviously until the paperwork is done, it's never completely done, but I have spoken to representatives and managers about who is being sold and who is being released so we can actually talk to these players.

"In the end, I'm hoping when it's the middle of the summer and crazy transfer time with people asking for crazy money, we'll already be done."

"Hopefully, by the middle of next week, 100 per cent of the players we're going for will have been done.

It's a sensible strategy and ahead of the retained list being announced on Monday then the 2014/15 squad will be taking shape sooner than expected.