Talks have been opened with Bolton captain Ricardo Santos over a new Wanderers contract but the skipper says he is focussed on the current campaign before sorting out his future.
Santos, 26, signed a contract extension last year which has tied the defender down to Wanderers until the summer of 2023.
Ian Evatt has confirmed Wanderers have started to speak to Santos and his representatives over extending his time at the University of Bolton Stadium even further.
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The defender has become a key player for Bolton and has turned out 85 times for the club since joining in the summer of 2020, including playing every game of the club's promotion campaign out of League Two last season.
Santos says he is enjoying his time at Wanderers but says that he does not want to rush into making any decisions right now, though, and is purely focussed on the remainder of the season.
He said: "At the moment I am focussing on this season. I have still got a year left and I don’t want to rush into anything. This is where I am at the moment and I am happy to be here.
"I am only worried about the games we have got coming up."
Wanderers fans have taken to Twitter to have their say on the defender's update on his future, with many not arguing with the defender taking his time to assess his options to see if there any other potential offers come on the table which could see him play in the Championship and offer greater financial security.
But supporters are hoping that the defender will extend his time with Wanderers and hopefully with the club back in the second tier of English football.
@benmcquade_ posted: "Don’t have a problem with this at all. Seen many footballers stay loyal to a club and suffer for it. If there’s more money on the table at a higher level then go for it, anyone in any other profession would do the same."
Andrew Broome wrote: "If Santos has ambitions of playing higher, who can blame him? We should 100% offer an extension though.
"He’s one of the best CB’s in league this year and if we’re still in L1 next season he’ll be integral to a promotion campaign. A *very* good player. Worth £2-3m imo."
Gary Furness wrote: "Let's not forget that a few years back, Santos thought he was out of football and was looking for jobs as an Amazon delivery driver.
"You can't blame him for wanting to secure some financial security for himself and his family. I'd do exactly the same."
Will Jones wrote: "RE: Santos. Ideal for L1, his absence was obvious in the Lincoln game, he’s a big asset this year, but struggled in the odd game vs higher opposition, Champ is one step too high.
"More inclined to keep him if we don’t go up. If we do, we’d be looking to improve anyway imo. Not to say he would want to stay if we didn’t go up, I’m sure he’s got bigger ambitions than L1, as we have but I think we’d need to strengthen again if we achieved those ambitions."
Paul Greenhalgh wrote: "Looked dreadful for 6 months and given him the platform to improve. Never ever a champ defender. For us or anyone else. If he goes he goes. We will move onwards and upwards but it could go either way for him."
Martin Barlow wrote: "Don’t blame Santos one bit. Short careers etc and still might extend with us. No dangers here."
Jack Halliwell wrote: "I'd be devastated if Rico left and waiting till the end of the season is never a good sign. Looks like he's waiting to see what league we will be in. You can't blame him if he leaves, playing in a higher level possibly for more money with two kids would be ideal for him
"However if we get to the Championship I would fancy him to stay with us, what the club can't do is let him go on a free like we've done with players in the past, that would be disastrous especially if a Championship club is willing to pay good money for him."
@philduncalf posted: "If he doesn’t want to sign a contract. 2 million and I’ll drive you anywhere Rico."
