Bristol Rovers are looking to take advantage of the fire sale going at Bolton Wanderers, with their eyes on goalkeeper, Luke Southwood.
27-year-old Southwood only joined the Trotters last summer but with boss Stephen Schumacher promising big changes in his first transfer window, it appears the shot stopper could be available.
The Gas are looking to strengthen in all areas, with returning manager, Darrell Clarke, hoping to take the team back to League One at the first time of asking.
Southwood was brought to Wanderers to compete with then No. 1 Nathan Baxter. In the previous season Baxter had spent a significant amount of time injured, something owner Sharron Brittain believed contributed to the Whites missing out on automatic promotion.
In 2024-25, the Northern Ireland international played 26 times, being interchanged with his counterpart, Baxter, on several occasions.
With Shumacher not set on his goalkeeping situation, Baxter was let go in the summer, but the club moved quickly to add Teddy Sharman-Lowe on loan, who was an integral part of Doncaster Rovers League Two winning side in the previous season.
As the window has progressed there is a feeling at Bolton that almost any player is available for the right fee, as the former Plymouth Argyle boss continues to shape his squad, with Southwood included in that conversation.
Could This Move Happen?
Southwood has a year remaining on his deal, so a fee would have to be agreed. Should the move press ahead, it would reunite the goalkeeper with his former Cheltenham Town manager in Clarke, who helped the player to his best season in senior football.
As of yet, there has been no confirmed deal in place from Rovers to the player but reports state that it is only a matter of time, with Gas goalkeeping coach, James Bittner also a former colleague of Southwood.
