Bolton Wanderers are looking to secure the services of former Hibernian and Celtic forward Anthony Stokes. According to a report by the Daily Mail, the Championship club are lining up a move for Stokes, who is currently a free agent after leaving Hibernian by mutual consent. It is believed that the 29-year-old striker is gathering interest from a whole host of clubs from England, Greece, Italy and China. Bolton are set to go head to head with the Greek giants, Panathinaikos in pursuit of the forward’s signature.
Stokes is a product of Arsenal’s youth academy and has been in fine form this season. He has found the back of the net 11 times in 21 matches for Hibs this season. It is understood that the former Premier League player is eager to make a switch abroad after spending most of his career in Scottish football. He could be interested in making a move to the Macron Stadium and team up with the Trotters boss Phil Parkinson.
Stokes parted ways with Hibs after falling out of favour with their manager Neil Lennon and was accused of setting off a fire extinguisher when his team was on a training camp in the Algarve over Christmas. It has been suggested that Stokes was not the only player involved in the incident. The Republic of Ireland international has scored 146 goals in 381 appearances while representing eight clubs during his career.
Bolton Wanderers are currently in 20th place in the Skybet Championship with a tally of 29 points after 29 league matches. The Trotters are currently flirting with disaster and are just two points above the relegation zone. Phil Parkinson’s side faces the possibility of suffering the agony of relegation to League One in the coming months so the potential addition of Stokes would be a welcome one as he would add goals to their side which could help them avoid the drop this term.
Stokes has been a prolific goal-scorer all throughout his career and will undoubtedly bolster Parkinson’s attacking options at the Greater Manchester club. The Trotters have just managed to score 27 goals in 29 league matches which is why they are in real danger of being relegated at the end of the current campaign. The Republic of Ireland international might be able to help them in the coming weeks and improve on their dire goalscoring record.
It remains to be seen what lies ahead in the future of Anthony Stokes and whether Bolton are successful in luring him to the Macron Stadium in the near future.
