Derry City boss Ruaidhrí Higgins admits it would be a 'huge loss' for the club if Eoin Toal were to depart amid transfer window interest from Bolton Wanderers.
Toal, 23, has made more than 150 appearances for Derry and scored six goals. This season, he has turned out 20 times in the League of Ireland Premier Division and scored once.
Toal has been with Derry since 2017, but his contract with the club expires at the end of this November. It means as things stand he would become a free agent over the winter and Derry could only command a transfer fee before then this summer.
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Ian Evatt was frank and open on Bolton's interest in the player after his side's 2-2 draw against Stockport County behind closed doors last week. Wanderers will monitor the situation after an opening bid for Toal was not accepted by Derry and could make a second approach in an attempt to sign him.
Higgins has now spoken on the potential impending departure of his captain and admits if Toal were to leave then it would be a 'huge loss' for Derry. But he stressed that no move has yet been agreed for the defender and he remains a Candystripes player for now.
Speaking to the Derry Journal, Higgins said: “At this minute in time I don’t know if Bolton have made another offer. We all know that their first offer was rejected and at the minute I don’t think they have made an improved offer, but that may change as the week progresses.
"Eoin Toal has been an absolutely brilliant servant for this club and he’s only 23. He has played a lot of games and I can only speak since I have been here, but he has been fantastic. If he does leave then it would be a huge loss, but as we sit here now, there’s nothing confirmed or agreed or anything like that.
“We will need to replace him or we’ll need to adapt or play a different system, I don’t know, because nothing has happened since last week’s bid was rejected."
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