Transfer Gossip: Oldham hold firm with Wanderers wanting Wheater

With the rumour mill swiftly kicking into life shortly after the clocks chimed midnight and 2020 being upon us, one of the first, and perhaps most anticipated transfer stories surrounding Bolton Wanderers emerged, former Whites and current Oldham Athletic captain David Wheater is wanted by boss Keith Hill as a defensive reinforcement in a depleting Trotters back line and side as a whole.

With Wheater’s summer departure coming somewhat as a shock to Bolton fans given his evident fondness for the club and the town in general, it was almost inevitable that once the ship had been steadied by football ventures, Keith Hill and David Flitcroft, that there would be a renewed, improved move for the big centre halve, which almost came sooner than anticipated in the form of a loan back deal on deadline day back in August, though never materialised.

Now however, its been made apparent that the interest remains prominent and there has been renewed contact with Wheats in an attempt to lure him back from the Latics, though the fellow Lancashire side appear to be holding firm on their newly appointed skipper, apparently insisting he’s not for sale.

Both sides will no doubt therefore be keen to secure his services in their respective positions, proving Wanderers will have a fight on their hands to bring the fans favourite back to the UNIBOL.

Fan reaction has been somewhat mixed since the rumour was revived this morning, with some beckoning for his return more than others, though each with the club’s best interests at heart, simply in their own way, justifying to themselves that we’ll have a solid enough defence in the latter stages of this season to keep us up.

Whilst this may be a prominent factor in the deal, others have viewed it as a long term prospect, perhaps almost as the first sign of preparations for life in league two, however far this season is from over, even despite Wheater coming towards the end of his career, infamously signalled by his international retirement just prior to his Wanderers departure, going viral and winning the hearts of the nation.

Wheater continues to perform consistently at club level, earning him the status of a precious asset in the eyes of both clubs and their fans. It’ll be interesting to see how this one develops and whether we’ll see self-proclaimed ‘Big Dave’ back in a White shirt before the end of the month.

Leave your thoughts on Wheater’s potential return in the comments below, if you’d like to see him back, why you would and what would be a sensible offer to make to Oldham in our still somewhat precarious position.