Bolton Wanderers are set to beat EFL rivals to the signing of St Mirren centre-back Richard Taylor.
After bringing in attacking quality in the form of striker Sam Dalby and creative midfielder Xavi Simons, Steven Schumacher’s new goal this summer is definitely defensive acquisitions. In his first half-season at the club, he had to work with a team that he had not built and that was not necessarily suited to his playing style. Things did not go as planned, and they were unable to advance to the playoffs.
Their biggest liabilities were in the back. They finished with a minus-three goal difference, conceding 70 times during the 2024/25 League One season. Barnsley were the only team in the top half of the division to allow for greater efforts.
Bolton set to complete signing of Richard Taylor
According to Pete O’Rourke, Schumacher intends to transfer Taylor from Scottish Premiership club St Mirren to the Bolton backline in order to add stability. The 24-year-old was also desired by other Wanderers’ division teams as well as Championship outfits, but he will end up at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
In his games north of the border last season, the six-foot-two defender usually played on the left side of a back three. He had five clean sheets in 34 league appearances last season. Before joining the Saints in January 2023, the Englishman played in England’s lower leagues and non-leagues, as well as in the Republic of Ireland. He is leaving them as a free agent, and Bolton will not have to pay a compensation fee because St Mirren did not offer him a new contract.
According to the Bolton News, Bolton is also interested in Hull City’s Matty Jacob for a left-back role. However, he is also garnering interest from Switzerland, so the Trotters will face some challenges in making the purchase.
Schumacher also focuses on goalkeeping. Football League World exclusively disclosed that they were interested in signing Crystal Palace shot-stopper Owen Goodman after his successful loan spell with AFC Wimbledon last season. He is poised to join league rivals Huddersfield Town, according to The Athletic. Instead, they want to sign Teddy Sharman-Lowe on loan from Chelsea, according to O’Rourke. He helped Doncaster Rovers win League Two last season.
Steven Schumacher deserves to be backed this heavily
Wanderers are being extremely proactive in Schumacher’s first full window in command of the club. They signed Charlie Warren, 21, from Felixstowe and Walton United earlier on Friday. With a manager like Schumacher in control, who was so open about his intention to get his hands dirty with recruitment this summer, it’s no wonder that he’s getting the support he needs to rebuild this squad in his own image. And with his track record in this league, having won it with Plymouth Argyle the last time he played full-time, why wouldn’t they?
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