Transfer Gossip: Whites Enter Wilson Race

Neil Lennon has revealed that Bolton Wanderers have entered the already crowded race to sign Manchester United's highly rated young striker, James Wilson, on loan.

The Whites are hoping that the promise of a regular starting place, due to our severe lack of strikers will be enough to temp United to send the forward to the Macron Stadium rather than one of the other twenty Championship clubs who have inquired for his services.

Derby County are thought to be the current front runners, but considering the amount of options and money they've spent on attacking might this summer, United may be less inclined to send Wilson there when the likes of Chris Martin, Darren Bent, Andi Weimann, Johnny Russell and Tom Ince will all be above him int he pecking order.

With United insisting on a recall clause be inserted in any deal that sees Wilson temporarily leave the club, finances may not be too much of an issue like they have been in supposed deals for the likes of Gary Hooper, Adam Le Fondre and Kyle Lafferty. Which means Bolton could actually seriously compete for the signing of Wilson, we're a club close to home with a lot of very good players and with only Gary Madine and Emile Heskey in competition. Wilson is certain to start every game he's able.

Hopefully this logic will swing things in our favour, for once.

On Wilson, Neil Lennon said:

"I think Manchester United have said there are half a dozen clubs in for him already and I can understand that. There would be an interest here, no question."

It's been a strange one for James Wilson this season. Last year Wilson was a constant presence on the United bench, often getting on the pitch before Robin van Persie. So with the Dutchman's departure in the summer it looked as if Wilson would step up to be the permanent deputy to Wayne Rooney. He even got a number change from #49 to #19.

However, the season came around and Wilson is yet to feature in the Premier League for the Red Devils. The now departed Javier Hernandez took his spot on the bench and now new signing Anthony Martial has pushed him even further out of Louie van Gaal's plans.

Perhaps Van Gaal thinks Wilson isn't ready and needs a loan spell, or LVG could just be going on a mad one again and inexplicably changing his mind. Whatever the reason, one Championship club will benefit from the switch around.

19-year old Wilson is very highly rated. Scoring goals for fun in the United reserves, his graduation to the first team wasn't undeserved, he's scored three goals in the first team with a brace on his debut against Hull City and another striker against QPR.

He seems to have a knack of scoring on his debut, as he scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over the USA on his first outing for the England U21s.

With the risk of a recall and lack of real first team minutes Wilson would be a risky signing, however, he's proven throughout his brief career so far that he scores goals and god knows we need them.

I really hope this move comes off.