Bolton No Longer Under Embargo

Wanderers’ embargo has been lifted, but in reality what happens next?

Finally, finally, finally.

Bolton Wanderers no longer have to operate under a transfer embargo. The club officially announced the news earlier this afternoon, ending a period of more than 18 months of managers and owners working with their hands tied behind their back.
While, annoyingly, the news has come two weeks after the transfer window closed, it does allow Bolton a number of relative freedoms in the way they construct their squad now.

Firstly, the restrictions on squad size are now lifted, which allows Phil Parkinson to select from more than the 24 he had been restricted to at the last time the EFL had decided what they thought it should be. Ken Anderson`s note had stated that Jeff King and Alex Perry would be registered as soon as possible, while a number of free agents training with the club are now free to sign. Julio Baptista and Joey O`Brien are two such players, and the chances of them coming on board will have now increased.

Free agents (and going forward, any player) will now also be able to earn more than the £4,500 per week limit set by the league. This could tempt a Mr J Spearing of Merseyside off his couch for a Macron return, and we do well need someone in midfield who can compete.

Loan signings will be able to sign for more than half a season, while that doesn`t necessarily affect the quality of player we can get in on a temporary deal, does allow more security at our end.

And obviously, come January, we will be able to spend actual money on a permanent signing, should the opportunity arise.

On the other hand, doesn`t expect any more than a slight relaxation of the purse strings. Ken Anderson often speaks of making tough decisions, and embargo or not, we should still expect some sort of self-enforced wage cap. Considering we easily could have folded less than two years ago, that`s not necessarily a bad thing, if Anderson is unable to bring in the right investment, then things have to be sustainable.

In any case, the end of the embargo is a tangible sign that slowly, things are being put right off the field. Now the football side needs to follow suit.