Bolton Wanderers are pondering a second move for Charlton Athletic forward Gassan Ahadme as they want to improve Steven Schumacher’s offensive options.
Bringing in a new number nine is one of the League One club’s top targets for the rest of the transfer window. However, as the boss has stated, they cannot simply choose any number nine that will make up the numbers. It has to be the “right” one.
They’ve had their sights set on a few targets throughout this span, one of which is Ahadme. The 24-year-old Charlton forward was linked with Bolton last month by local publication the Bolton News, and the Addicks confirmed that a fee had been agreed between the two former divisional rivals.
Wanderers have also expressed interest in signing Jonny Kenny from Celtic, although there is a half-million pound disparity between their valuation of the teenage goalscorer and the Scottish club’s asking price.
Amid the stalled pursuit of Kenny, Alan Nixon claimed on Wednesday that Bolton is considering going back in for the Moroccan.
Bolton bosses backed to proceed with their Gassan Ahadme investment.
Since joining the south London club for £1 million from Ipswich Town last summer, his record has not been particularly impressive. That being said, many of the Trotters’ acquisitions this summer have impressed one of Football League World’s Bolton fan pundits, Liam O’Meara, despite their limited tenures.
If Schumacher and the recruitment team believe Ahadme is the answer, O’Meara will be behind them 100%.
He stated, “I see that he [Ahadme] got two [goals] in a pre-season friendly last week, and I did wonder if Charlton would possibly put him in the shop window with that appearance.” And the fact that he scored twice may have prompted Bolton to make a move.
| Gassan Ahadme’s Charlton Athletic stats (all competitions) | |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 23 |
| Goals | 4 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Source: Transfermarkt | |
“The only thing is that we aren’t hearing the proper things about Kenny from Celtic, which is making Bolton want to maybe move.
“We need a striker.” We really need a striker. And several of the signings we’ve made so far look quite impressive.
“So, if Fergal Harkin [Bolton’s sporting director], Steven Schumacher, and the others involved in this transfer believe that this is the right move for us, then I’m willing to trust them at this point.” So far, it appears like they are making the correct decision.
Mason Burstow’s opening-day performance should give Bolton more time to finish their striker quest.
The day after Ahadme was linked with a move to Toughsheet Community Stadium, Bolton announced the loan signing of Hull City centre-forward Mason Burstow.
The 22-year-old former Chelsea player rose to prominence when playing for Charlton before moving to Stamford Bridge, and again after a brief comeback to the Addicks.
Since then, the youthful attacker has battled to find his footing in the EFL, but a more bulky-looking Burstow started the season’s first game against Stockport County and more than held his own. He may have won a penalty in the first half when he appeared to be pulled back in the box after a shot from the right side flashed across Corey Addai’s goal.
His performance against the promotion hopeful Hatters will have encouraged Schumacher and the club’s supporters, and, perhaps more crucially, will have relieved Harkin and others of the need to recruit a new centre-forward, now that Burstow has proven himself to be at the required level.
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