Celtic target David Watson has reportedly agreed to join Bolton Wanderers.
The Kilmarnock midfielder ran down his contract at Rugby Park, making himself available on a pre-contract agreement over the last six months.
Alongside Celtic’s well-documented interest in Watson, the 20-year-old has also been linked with Bologna and Lazio in Serie A.
But why have Bologna when you can have Bolton?
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Bolton Wanderers win race to sign Kilmarnock midfielder David Watson
According to the Daily Record, Watson is set to move to the Toughsheet Community Stadium (best known as the Reebok) after agreeing terms with Wanderers.
The club have just been promoted from League One to the Championship via the play-offs, beating Stockport in the final at Wembley.
READ MORE: Johnny Kenny reveals ‘massive aspirations’ for Celtic return, sets 20-goal target
Celtic’s Johnny Kenny played a part in their promotion, but has voiced his intentions to return to Parkhead and contribute rather than making the loan move permanent.
The Hoops’ interest in Watson was first reported by Stephen McGowan earlier this season, but a £1.2 million move in January never ended up getting off the ground.
The 21-year-old’s name was especially familiar to Celtic fans, given that he has scored in three separate matches against the Hoops already in his career.
Celtic’s midfield is set for a major overhaul this summer, with Reo Hatate, Arne Engels and Paulo Bernardo all expected to leave.
Exits for Callum McGregor and Benjamin Nygren are yet to be ruled out either, whilst Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s short-term contract is up.
Powerful, aggressive box-to-box midfielder Watson has been compared to John McGinn for his playing style.
Just? Maswanhise? Mulligan? Someone else?
Scottish Premiership players of interest to Celtic
Celtic are never too far from a link to a Scottish Premiership player, but there is an especially high number of rumours ahead of this summer.
No less than four Motherwell players have been linked with Celtic: Elijah Just, Elliot Watt, Calum Ward and Tawanda Maswanhise are all reportedly of interest.
Josh Mulligan of Hibs, a player of a similar profile to Watson, was linked with Celtic in January but isn’t short of suitors.
Calvin Miller and Barney Stewart of Falkirk have been linked, whilst the Hoops are one of many interested clubs in Dundee’s Luke Graham.
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