Transfer Gossip: Wanderers Chase Manchester City Starlet

Bolton Wanderers are hot on the trail of Manchester City wonderkid Brandon Barker, according to that well-known gospel of transfer truth Alan Nixon (although the fact that the journalist can't spell his name doesn't exactly enthuse you).

Neil Lennon is reported to be interested in bringing the 18-year-old winger in on loan to bolster their attacking options and add a much needed unknown quantity to the squad.

Barker is a predominantly right footed player who prefers to cut inside from the left wing, and is described by City's website as having 'frightening pace.'He scored four goals and got four assists in six UEFA Youth League games, as well as scoring three goals for the City's Under 21 side last season.

He also won City's Academy Player of the Year in 2013/14 scoring 13 goals in 32 appearances, has represented England at under-19 level and has been in training with the first-team squad in the last six months - appearing in City's pre-season friendly against Roma last week.

His talents have attracted praise from City's youth coach Patrick Vieira, who had this to say of him earlier this year:

"Brandon is a proper talent. He needs to work hard, he needs to work well but I believe that Brandon has the potential to be a really good player and only he can decide the levels.

It is up to him now how much he wants it because he has got the talent. If he works well and develops himself and is really ambitious, he has fantastic potential to be a Premier League player."

For proof of the special talent Barker has, check out this goal in City's 8-2 FA Youth Cup win over Coventry in January - in which he scored a hat-trick before being taken off at half-time: