Transfer Gossip: Which Championship Free Agents Could BWFC Sign?

As we've all been made thoroughly aware of, unless a miraculous saviour with buckets of expandable income comes galavanting over the horizon, Neil Lennon will have extremely limited funds to work with this summer. So that means going for the likes of Adam Le Fondre, Barry Bannan or just about anyone who would cost actual money has been effectively ruled out. This in turn makes Lennon's task of rebuilding a demoralised, depleted and not very good squad in pre-season all the more difficult, as he'll have to attempt to work wonders on a shoestring if we are to put up any sort of promotion challenge in the coming campaign.

So since Lenny and his team will be with out much cash to make a splash in the transfer market this summer, it's looking increasingly likely that they'll have to rely on free agents to bolster the squad, with scouting trips to watch foreign out-of-contract players, such as Harmeet Singh of Molde and Sergi Enrich of Numancia, already taken place.

But what about free agents that are a little bit closer to home? I went to the liberty of trawling through the list of all Championship players who will be with out a club this summer and put the ones who I could see Bolton potentially signing into the neat list below, all so you can assess who you think would potentially make a difference at the Macron Stadium:

Sidenote: all information about contracts is via Transfermarkt, some may be incorrect and some of these players may yet resign for their club.

Javier Garrido - Norwich City

The experienced Spanish right back was a hit with the Norwich City fans when he first joined the club on loan from Lazio, so much so he then joined the club on a more permanent basis the following summer. This season, however, the 30 year-old has only made eight appearances for the Canaries, and although there is an option for him to extend his deal by a further year, you can imagine he'll be let go of once Norwich conclude their play-off campaign.

Alex Pearce - Reading

The stand in Reading captain, Alex Pearce, may not be the most athletic of defenders, but he's experienced, sturdy, dependable and could make for a good option at the back, especially considering it's looking increasingly likely that Matt Mills won't be with us next term, David Wheater's injury problems and Dorian Dervite's decline in form.

Rodolph Austin - Leeds United

I've never been a big fan of the former Leeds captain, when ever I've seen him play I've found that his attitude on the pitch heavily contrasts with his bulky frame, as he always seemed to dive to the floor screaming upon the faintest of touches. That said, we are certainly in need of some steel in the middle of the park and the Jamaican international may be able to provide that.

Craig Mackail-Smith - Brighton & Hove Albion

The Scottish striker's best years are certainly behind him, as he's suffered serious injuries and only managed a single league goal last season, but he's a striker who has proven in the past that he knows where the goal is and those players are in short supply, especially for us.

David McGoldrick - Ipswich Town

As strange as it may seem, both of Ipswich Town's coveted strikers are out of contract this summer, starting with David McGoldrick. The frontman has struggled with injury this season, meaning he's only managed to score seven goals, compared to his tally of sixteen and twenty-one in the two previous seasons. You'd imagine Ipswich would be doing all they can to keep McGoldrick at the club, but if he does decide to leave there won't be many better strikers available for nothing this summer.

Daryl Murphy - Ipswich Town

Yep, Daryl Murphy, this years top goal scorer with twenty-seven goals to his name, is also out of contract this summer. As with McGoldrick, one would presume Ipswich will be trying their damnedest to keep hold of Murphy, but should he choose not to stay with the Tractor Boys, maybe linking up with his former boss, Neil Lennon, could tickle his fancy. Maybe.

Ali Al-Habsi - Wigan Athletic

Another goalkeeper who the Whites could potentially turn to is fan favourite, Ali Al-Habsi. Having left Wigan Athletic, after doing his very best to save them from inevitable relegation, he finds himself with out a club and I'm sure many Bolton fans would love to see him back at the club.

Paul Anderson - Ipswich Town

Another Ipswich player who finds his contract up for renewal this summer is winger Paul Anderson. The 26 year-old has played a big role in Mick McCarthy's side this season, playing thirty-five times, setting up a goals and scoring a single one himself. He's a dependable player who works selflessly for the team, and you can have no shortage of those in your side.

Craig Morgan - Rotherham United

A name that's been linked quite heavily to the Whites already this season is Rotherham captain, Craig Morgan. The 29 year-old has expressed that he'd be happy to remain at the club, but his future still remains unclear. The centre back has qualities that Lennon is looking to add to his side: leadership, grit and a strong mentality.

Oscar Gobern - Huddersfield Town

The centre midfielder has been offered a new deal by the Terriers, but it's unclear whether or not he'll sign due to being on the fringes of the side all season - only playing fifth-teen games. But the 24 year-old is highly rated amongst Huddersfield fans and say that he's got the potential to be a very good player.

Jay Tabb - Ipswich Town

A mass exodus could be on the cards down at Ipswich this summer, as Jay Tabb is another player with his contract up. The centre midfielder gives off the impression that he's a bit shit, probably due to his flowing locks, but he's a very canny operator in the middle of the park and is an extremely hard worker.

Kim Bo-Kyung - Wigan Athletic

The South Korean came out of obscurity to try and help save Wigan from relegation, to no avail. But the attacking midfielder certainly made an impact at the DW, scoring the winner against promotion chasing Norwich and dominating the midfield against us. Attacking midfield isn't exactly an area in which we are lacking, but Kim could be a handy player, even if it's just to get our Korean fans back

Jamie Ward - Derby County

A surprising departure from big time bottlers Derby County this summer is of winger Jamie Ward. The Northern Irishman has spent four years at the Rams, and scored six goals for them this season as they chased promotion. The 29 year-old would certainly be an interesting acquisition should Lenny go in for his fellow countryman.

Lawrie Wilson - Charlton Athletic

Everyone knows that Bolton Wanderers are in dire need of a new right back this summer, perhaps Lawrie Wilson is the man to fill that gap? The 28 year-old played thirty times this season, spending the closing stages of the campaign at Rotherham United and he played a key role in their survival.

Lewis Buxton - Sheffield Wednesday

Another potential player to bolster our fullback coffers is Lewis Buxton. It's unclear where the versatile defender lies and he's been linked with a host of club, admittedly ones better than us, but he'd certainly add some natural quality in an area we've been lacking in.

Greg Halford - Nottingham Forest

Wanderers fans probably won't like this one, first of all Halford isn't very good and secondly he acted like a complete bellend when he was last at the Macron. However, he's an extremely versatile player, able to play anywhere from right back to striker, which could definitely be useful to Neil Lennon.

Paddy McCourt - Brighton & Hove Albion

The Northern Irish attacker's career has very much gone down hill in recent years, he spent the latter stages of last season at relegated League One side Notts County. But if things really do become desperate this summer, then maybe Lennon will turn to his old player to boost his squad numbers.

Ben Pringle - Rotherham United

We've finally reached the end of this quite lengthy list, and I end it with Rotherham United's left winger Ben Pringle. The 25 year-old, who sports luscious, blond hair, has been at Rotherham since 2011, and has played a pivotal role in their rise through the leagues and their Championship survival this year - scoring three goals and assisting seven this campaign. Like Morgan, Pringle remains in talks with his club, but he could still potentially leave in the summer.

So that's your lot! There are more Championship players out of contract this summer, but all of those are the ones I thought were worthy of note. So who would you like Bolton to sign on a free this summer? Are they in a list above or have I missed someone? Let me know in the comments below!