Transfer Gossip: Bolton Wanderers After Bradford City Man Marshall

News has emerged in the last 24 hours that Bolton Wanderers are set to challenge Charlton Athletic for the signature of Bradford City winger Mark Marshall in the summer.

Having already seen Phil Parkinson turn to his former club in the January window for Filipe Morais, it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if the rumours become genuine interest and a foundation for a potential re-union. With Parkinson being the man who brought him to Valley Parade back in 2015, his relationship with the tricky winger could be a valuable asset as Wanderers look to strengthen the squad in the summer.

Marshall has been one of the standout players in League One this season and has proven to be one of the biggest influences in Bradford’s promotion push. With Bradford fans showing no remorse in their continued dislike for Parky and Bolton, to steal the out-of-contract forward off their hands in summer would make the deal so much sweeter for Wanderers fans.

Despite being second to the party, you would've thought that Marshall will look to sign on at a club at a higher level, and with our promotion hopes still well alive, hopefully we could be in direct contention to snap up the free agent in July. To add to this, Charlton are at the lower end of the league and have only just secured safety in the third flight for another season meaning we could well be within the running should the talented winger look to not renew his contract at the Yorkshire club.

Bolton fans have been forced to be seen to disregard Marshall completely this season in an attempt to appear unmoved by his impressive form at Bradford, but in reality, I’m sure the majority would see this as a brilliant signing, should it happen.

With our destiny not yet confirmed, Marshall may only be considered should we go up, but in my opinion, he would still an ideal signing for us should we somehow not manage to go up at the first attempt.

Of course, at this stage, the rumours are purely gossip, but should anything develop from this, it could become something to look forward to and get excited about once the season’s over.