Fulham and Middlesbrough have been linked with a potential move for promising Bolton striker Zach Clough in today’s Mail on Sunday.
The paper reports that highly-rated 21 year-old, who has been troubled by a hamstring problem towards the end of pre-season, was not risked in Bolton’s opening day victory over Sheffield United by manager Phil Parkinson on account of serious interest from possible suitors. Wanderers’ perilous financial position means they need to raise funds and selling Clough, who caught the eye with six goals in ten games towards the end of his breakthrough 2014-15 season, may raise as much as £2m.
A move to the Premier League would appeal to Clough as a means of realising his undoubted potential, whilst Slavisa Jokanovic has made the recruitment of new forwards a high priority after the summer departures of Ross McCormack and Moussa Dembele. The 5ft 7in forward has been with Bolton since the age of eight and has scored twelve goals in 36 first-team appearances, with his opportunities severely limited last season after he dislocated his shoulder against Reading.
Bolton’s relegation from the Championship has left many Wanderers fans fearing that one of their brightest prospects would soon leave, but such is Clough’s burgeoning reputation within the game, he will not be short of suitors.
