Bolton Wanderers

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Bolton outplayed in final

Bolton Wanderers missed out on the Peace Cup trophy after Kim Kallstrom pounced for a late winner for Lyon.

The French champions were much the better team and were rewarded for their dominance when Swedish midfielder Kallstrom scored four minutes from time.

Kevin Nolan had a couple of early shots for Bolton before Lyon took control with Abdel Kader Keita heading against the post.

Jussi Jaaskelainen made a sprawling save from Nadir Belhadj's long-range drive and the Bolton keeper was off his line quickly to deny Sidney Govou after a defence-splitting pass from Kallstrom.

Poor defending then allowed Karim Benzema in, but his thumping shot from the edge of the area was beaten away by Jaaskelainen.

The Trotters did have the ball in the net on 34 minutes, but Nicolas Anelka's close-range header was ruled out for offside, due to Ricardo Vaz Te's flick-on.

Jaaskelainen saved from Kallstrom before Benzema should have given Lyon a half-time lead only to head wide from Keita's pull-back with the goal gaping.

The second half was a little more even with Anelka scuffing a shot from distance and Gregory Coupet gathering a Vaz Te effort at the second attempt.

Only a tremendous double save from Jaaskelainen kept the game scoreless on 70 minutes as substitute Hatem Ben Arfa had an immediate impact.

Ben Arfa skipped clear of the Bolton defence, only to see his effort blocked by Jaaskelainen, who recovered quickly to prevent Milan Baros converting the rebound.

But Bolton's resistance was broken on 86 minutes when Ben Arfa's surging run and cross was turned home by Kallstrom.

Source: Skysports

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Bolton boss won't block Anelka exit

Bolton Wanderers boss Sammy Lee won't stop Nicolas Anelka from moving to a Champions League club.

Speculation has surrounded the much-travelled French striker all summer, with Saturday's Peace Cup final opponents Lyon and former club Arsenal both heavily linked with a possible transfer.

Both clubs are likely to feature in Europe's number one competition next season and therefore would be among those Lee would be willing to deal with, providing the terms were right for Bolton.

"I have to be fair to the boy," said Lee.

"He is 29 and he has told me he wants Champions League football.

"So would I, and I would like us both to achieve that here at Bolton.

"But, if one of the top four in England, or a Champions League club in another country, showed an interest in him, and he wanted to go, it would be remiss of me to stand in his way."

Anelka has only been with Bolton for a single season but has quickly become a crowd favourite, finishing top scorer with 11 goals last term.

Understandably, Lee is unequivocal in his desire for Anelka to stay, insisting: "You don't have to be a Philadelphia lawyer to work that out.

"I want people with quality and, undoubtedly, Nicolas has quality.

"I am not in the business of getting rid of our best players but I have to be fair to everybody. If the deal was fair to all parties, I would not stop him."

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Bolton near winger deal

Bolton Wanderers are close to landing Sweden international Christian Wilhelmsson from Nantes.

Wilhelmsson spent the second half of last season on loan at Roma, but the Italians opted against signing the winger permanently.

Nantes are keen to offload the 27-year-old, who has failed to make an impact in France since his move from Anderlecht last summer.

Bolton are among a number of Premier League sides interested in Wilhelmsson, with Manchester City and Middlesbrough also linked with a bid.

Wilhelmsson's agent Fabio Alho claims Trotters boss Sammy Lee is in pole position to sign the £2million-rated Swede.

"I hope everything will be settled this week," Alho told Expressen.

"We are talking, but we have done that for two weeks now. If we don't agree personal terms, there won't be any deal."

Source: Skysports

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Vasas goalkeeper Adam Bogdan is interesting Bolton Wanderers.The 20 year-old Hungarian had recent trials with the Trotters.

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Villarreal move for Bolton striker Anelka

Villarreal are moving for Bolton Wanderers striker Nicolas Anelka.

Marca says Villarreal are planning a bid for Anelka as they seek a replacement for Diego Forlan.

Villarreal are counting on their French contingent of Robert Pires, Pascal Cygan and Rio Mavuba to convince the Trotters forward about moving to the Primera Liga.

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Wilhelmsson seals Bolton move

Bolton have completed the capture of Nantes winger Christian Wilhelmsson on loan.

Sammy Lee has been chasing the Swedish international for a large part of the summer and reports suggested a permanent transfer had been agreed.

However, The Trotters announced that they had reached an accord with Nantes on a season-long loan deal, with a view to Wilhelmsson making the switch permanent next summer.

Wilhelmsson finalised his move to The Reebok Stadium on Friday, although the club are still waiting to receive international clearance.

The 27-year-old will not be able to play in Bolton's friendly against Tranmere on Saturday, but Lee is confident he will be available for the home match against Espanyol next week.

"I am pleased that the transfer has been concluded," Lee told the club's official website.

"He is not able to play against Tranmere because we are still awaiting international clearance. It should go through early next week in time for our home friendly against Espanyol."

Wilhelmsson joined Nantes from Anderlecht last summer but spent the second half of last season out on loan at Italian club Roma.

He was also linked with a move to Manchester City, Middlesbrough and Tottenham after deciding to leave Nantes but will be linking up with Bolton for the upcoming campaign.

Source: Skysports

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Valencia offer £13M for Bolton's Anelka

Valencia have made a £13 million offer for Bolton Wanderers striker Nicolas Anelka.

The Sunday Mirror says Wanderers and Valencia were in discussions last week and yesterday an official bid was made.

Now Anelka, 28, looks certain to be joining the eighth club of his nomadic career.

He said: "The interest from the Spaniards is really touching.

Valencia are a great club. Going over there to try to win La Liga is very tempting."

Manchester United, West Ham, Arsenal and Lyon have been monitoring his situation but Valencia have produced the first firm bid of the summer-

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Braaten agrees Bolton deal

Rosenborg winger Daniel Braaten has agreed a £425,000 switch to Bolton Wanderers.

The Norway international has been keen on a move to one of Europe's top leagues this summer, with his contract due to expire at the end of the year.

English and French clubs have been chasing Braaten, but it appears Bolton have won the race for the 25-year-old.

Braaten is relishing the chance to shine in the Premier League with The Trotters, but expects a tough challenge to break into the first-team.

"I guess I should put the 'on' button on more," he told Dagbladet.

"I don't know much about the place, but I do know some of the players and a little bit about the club.

"It seems exciting. Definitely a step up."

Source: Skysports

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Braaten to finalise switch

Daniel Braaten has travelled to England to complete his move to Bolton from Rosenborg.

The Trotters have had a £425,000 bid accepted for the winger, whose contract with the Norwegian club is due to expire at the end of the year.

Bolton have beaten off competition from clubs in France and will look to wrap up Braaten's signing within the next few days.

The 25-year-old's agent Stig Lillejord is confident the Norway international will soon put the finishing touches to his move to Bolton.

"The clubs have reached an agreement, but Daniel has not signed yet," Lillejord told Adresseavisen.

"Daniel has to negotiate his personal terms and complete a medical.

"We are travelling to England and the goal of the trip is to conclude the transfer."

Source: Skysports

[jec1]

Ricardo Vaz Te at the double for Bolton - Telegraph

Ricardo Vaz Te scored twice as Bolton Wanderers warmed up for Europe by cruising to a 3-0 victory over last season’s Uefa Cup finalists Espanyol.

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Bolton bag Hungary keeper

Bolton Wanderers have agreed a deal to sign Hungarian goalkeeper Adam Bogdan.

The Under 21 international will join the Premier League club on a two-year contract, subject to international clearance.

Bogdan arrives at The Reebok Stadium from Vasas, although he spent last season on loan in the Hungarian second division with Vecses.

The 20-year-old is relishing his move to England and will link up with his new team-mates next week.

Dream for keeper

"I'd like to thank everybodyu who works at the Under 21 national team, to Vasas, to Vecses, and their coach Istvan Pisont," Bogdan told MT1.

"Without them, this contract couldn't come into existence.

"I didn't even dare to dream that my agents' forecast would come true. In Vecses they told me that I'd go to England from here.

"Bolton have already started the preparations for the next season, but I only have to join them next Monday.

"Manager Sammy Lee has let me go and finish all my things in Hungary, but by Sunday evening I'll be in England."

Source: Skysports

[jec1]

I think bolton are making moves because they think they have a competitive team on the field.

From what I saw against Espanyol, They will surprise people.

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Kevin Davies will be sidelined for up to six weeks after suffering a torn hamstring against Newcastle.

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Bolton complete O'Brien deal

Bolton manager Sammy Lee has continued his summer spending with the acquisition of Portsmouth defender Andy O'Brien.

The 29-year-old, who signs for an undisclosed fee, has put pen-to-paper on a two-year-deal at The Reebok Stadium, with an option of a further year.

Lee has been busy in the summer transfer market, and O'Brien becomes the 12th player to sign on for the club as the new boss looks to put the finishing touches to his squad.

The former Newcastle man has gone straight into the squad for Bolton's midweek clash with Fulham, as they look to put their opening-day blues behind them.

Lee told the club's official website: "Andy is a great astute acquisition for this football club.

"His versatility across the backline will give us greater strength in depth and options in a critical area."

O'Brien had fallen out of favour with Harry Redknapp's Portsmouth, and has moved on in search of regular first-team football.

Skysports