St Mirren face a battle to hang on to influential Australia international Keanu Baccus this summer.
The talented 25-year-old earned his latest cap for the Socceroos in a friendly against World champions Argentina last week, his second meeting with Lionel Messi in the space of just over six months.
With just one year left on his contract after signing from Western Sydney Wanderers last summer, the Buddies know the midfield star has plenty of suitors south of the border.
In the January transfer window, both Norwich and Huddersfield were monitoring the Aussie after his impressive performances both in the stripes and for the Socceroos at the World Cup in Qatar.
And now English League One side Bolton are understood to have made him a top signing priority as they aim to battle their way up to the Championship.
Bolton are believed to be one of a number of English sides who have watched his progress recently, having played a key role as St Mirren made it into the top six for the first time in the current format last season.
The Buddies may have a decision to make sooner rather than later. With Baccus going into the final year of his contract, the Paisley side may decide to cash in on the Australia star rather than risk losing him for nothing next year.
The Saints have shown they are willing to entertain offers in similar situations, with Dylan Reid and Ethan Erhahon both moving on in January – to Crystal Palace and Lincoln City respectively – when the duo were in the final year of their contracts.
Stephen Robinson is still looking to get his first summer signing over the line having lost key players Curtis Main, Charles Dunne and Joe Shaughnessy, despite offering the trio new deals.
Creative midfielder Caolan Boyd-Munce did make his initial short-term move permanent earlier this month, while Israeli striker Stav Nahmani and Crystal Palace frontman Rob Street remain targets to help fill the void left by Main.
The Saints have also been linked with moves for Morecambe defender Jacob Bedeau, 23, and 21-year-old Liverpool defender Oludare Olufunwa.
Primarily a centre-back, Olufunwa can also play at right-back and made eight appearances for Liverpool’s Under-21s last season.
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