Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
John McDougall

Update emerges on Tom Barkhuizen's future amid Bolton Wanderers, Derby County & Rotherham links

Tom Barkhuizen is a free agent this summer after leaving Preston North End and has been linked to clubs in both the Championship and League One.

The 28-year-old has departed Deepdale after his contract at the Championship club ran out. He racked up more than 200 appearances for North End, scoring 38 goals during his time at the club.

Ryan Lowe has opted to release the attacker, who can operate across the front three. He is now a free agent and can move on to pastures new without a transfer fee.

READ MORE: Sheffield Wednesday's Barry Bannan delivers verdict on Bolton Wanderers spell under Neil Lennon

Bolton Wanderers have made two signings already this summer and are seeking to undertake more business to strengthen the squad ahead of the new League One campaign.

Defender Jack Iredale has joined from Cambridge United on a three-year deal on a free transfer. Goalkeeper James Trafford has sealed a loan return for the whole season from Premier League champions Manchester City.

Reports emerged last month suggesting Wanderers were one of three sides interested in Barkhuizen's services. Fellow League One side Derby County and Championship side Rotherham United, who won promotion to the division last season.

Now an update has emerged on Barkhuizen's future via journalist Alan Nixon on his Patreon account. The report suggests transfer for Barkhuizen to Derby has been put on hold, which follows the club's stalled takeover issues.

The Rams are in adminstration and have been since last September. A deal for American businessman Chris Kirchner to purchase the club did not come to fruition.

As a result, it is reported that a deal for Barkhuizen is now on hold. Wanderers and Rotherham meanwhile are said to want an answer from the player over if he would be interested in moves to either.

Barkhuizen suffered a disrupted final season at Deepdale owing to injury and illness limiting his time on the pitch. He played 14 times in all competitions last season, without finding the back of the net.

He came through the youth team ranks at Blackpool, Evatt's former club, and played 27 times and scored twice for the Tangerines before departing for Morecambe in 2015. In little over a season with the Shrimps, Barkhuizen scored 17 goals.

READ NEXT:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.