Transfer Gossip: Bolton Wanderers linked with Barry Town full back

Bolton Wanderers may still be under a registration embargo, but that hasn’t stopped them from being linked with players. According to site Football Insider, Wanderers, Aston Villa, Ipswich and Barnsley have all been linked with Barry Town right back, Macauley Southam-Hales.

They state:

“Aston Villa are working on a deal to sign Barry Town defender Macauley Southam-Hales permanently during this month’s transfer window, Football Insider understands. Former Cardiff City youngster Southam-Hales has caught the eye for Barry Town this season, helping them to the top of the Welsh Premier League. A well-placed source has told Football Insider the likes of Championship trio Aston Villa,Ipswich and Bolton as well as League One hopefuls Barnsley have made regular checks on Southam-Hales this season and he has impressed them.

Southam-Hales, who has been converted into a right-back from a midfielder, came through the ranks at Cardiff before joining Barry in the summer of 2017 and he has played for Wales at various youth levels.”

With Villa seemingly ahead of everyone else, I’d say this rumour is a non-starter.

If Wanderers do sign anyone this window, you’d think they would go after players who could really help towards staying in The Championship. Giving a non-league player a chance isn’t a risk Bolton can afford to take right now.