IT was two in, three out at Wanderers on transfer deadline day – but the real drama lay in the moves that were not completed.
Steven Schumacher was able to add Finland international attacker Marcus Forss and former Republic of Ireland international defender Cyrus Christie to his team, bringing the total number of additions to 14 this summer. Szabi Schon returned to Hungary to play for ETO FC, while Carlos Mendes Gomes joined Exeter City on loan. But the most fascinating stories of the day were provided by two sought-after Wanderers: John McAtee, who was desired by Barnsley on loan, and Aaron Morley, who was reputedly subject to two six-figure bids from Wycombe Wanderers and Luton Town.
Schumacher made his emotions about McAtee clear over the weekend, despite leaving the forward out of his squads against Lincoln and Blackpool, insisting he had no desire to see him leave the club.
Barnsley’s offer remained on the table throughout the day, but the Whites made it clear after confirming Christie on a one-year contract with a 12-month option that they intended to make no further incoming deals. Morley had been reinserted into the starting lineup at Bloomfield Road, but various news outlets reported throughout the day that Bolton had rejected bids for him. The Bolton News knows that the inquiries were made earlier in the window, and Wanderers had no intention of selling him at this late point. Schumacher wanted to balance out the squad he took over from Ian Evatt in late January, so he went on a major overhaul.
The arrival of Forss ended a long search for an extra striker and put an end to long-standing interest in Celtic’s Johnny Kenny. Wanderers have had the 26-year-old on their radar for some time as an option to the Parkhead man, and if he impresses this season, they might sign him for free next summer. Some fans have expressed concern about the Finn’s injury history, but his most recent hamstring issue was in April 2024, and he has completed the entire Boro pre-season programme without incident. Ritchie Kyle, who handled the news conference in Schumacher’s absence prior to the Vertu Trophy match against Rotherham, believes the team has signed a player with something to prove.
He’s done it at a high level before, and I’m confident he can do it again in League One.” Wanderers eventually verified, four hours after the English deadline, that Dan Nlundulu had signed a permanent contract with St Mirren. The former Southampton striker had been looking for a new club since the end of last season, when Schumacher informed him that he would not be part of his first-team plans in the future.
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