Bolton Wanderers are set to make a £500k bid for Ipswich Town striker Joe Garner, according to The Sun.
The 30-year-old joined the Blues in a £750k deal from Rangers last summer, signing a three-year deal, and scored 10 goals in a decent debut campaign at Portman Road.
The report suggests Town are willing to accept offers for the former Preston man, with new manager Paul Hurst keen to put his mark on the squad ahead of the new season.
MORE: Where do Garner and Waghorn fit into Hurst’s plans?
Hurst has already sanctioned the £3.5m sale of key defender Adam Webster to Bristol City, while last season’s 16-goal top-scorer Martyn Waghorn has been linked to both Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest.
Wester, who hails from the south coast, was keen on the move to Ashton Gate, while Garner, who was born in Blackburn, is also reported to be interested in a move closer to home.
Town are also set to receive £1m from Manchester City for 16-year-old academy starlet Ben Knight.
Blues owner Marcus Evans has promised fans that money raised from the sale of Webster will be ‘reinvested into the playing squad’.
MORE: Verdict on the gaps which Hurst needs to fill this summer
Hurst has made two additions to his squad so far this summer – England U19 defender/midfielder Trevoh Chalobah on a season-long loan from Chelsea and winger Jordan Roberts on a Bosman free transfer from League Two side Crawley Town.
STU SAYS
Could Town really sell two players who scored 17 goals between them in their debut campaigns?
New boss Paul Hurst is a man with a very clear plan in terms of formation and style of play. And he showed at former club Shrewsbury that he is not afraid to come in and move on senior players.
Perhaps the sale of Adam Webster to Bristol City is an indication that he is wanting to really shake things up at Portman Road too.
MORE: Town linked to Nottingham Forest winger McKay
Hurst played with a physical lone striker last season (Carlton Morris), with the man in support (Jon Nolan) more an attacking midfielder than a deep-lying forward.
Does he want to go out and sign a target man to lead the line and play three in midfield? If so, you can see some logic behind these reports.
Getting your money back for Garner – now 30 and who had a couple of injuries last season – is probably the best you can hope for financially.
Waghorn, on the other hand, has seen his value rocket since a £250k switch. It’s hard to know just what he’s worth in the current market though after scoring 16 and assisting 11 at the age of 28.
Bobby Reid (19 goals and seven assists) has just moved from Bristol City to Cardiff for £10m, but he is 25.
One thing is for sure, any funds raised have to be reinvested in transfer fees.
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