Out-of-favour Bolton Wanderers midfielder Joel Randall is still free to leave the Toughsheet Stadium this summer, but the Trotters have yet to receive a bid as the transfer window nears its end.

Bolton have four points from their first two Championship games after seven years away, building on their opening-day victory with a defiant display away to QPR on Saturday.

Despite their strong start, Steven Schumacher’s side is still far from finished in terms of squad players, particularly in attacking areas. Having said that, there is still no room for offensive midfielder Randall, who has been declared surplus to requirements.

Bolton Wanderers are still awaiting offers for Joel Randall.

Randall has not played for Bolton since January 4, spending the latter part of last season on loan at Blackpool and reunited with former Trotters manager Ian Evatt, who took him to the Toughsheet Stadium in January 2025.

Evatt was fired less than two weeks after the move, and the 26-year-old has failed to impress Steven Schumacher in his 18 months at the helm.

Randall has only five goals in 39 games for Bolton, with the majority of his league appearances coming off the bench — his 10-goal, seven-assist season at Peterborough United in 2023/24 seems like a distant memory now.

Despite the lack of senior attacking midfield options following Ruben Rodrigues’ knee injury, Steven Schumacher chose 18-year-old Toby Ritchie to start on the bench at QPR over Randall. Clearly, there is no room for the 26-year-old in the squad, but Bolton’s manager admitted that there has been no interest in him this summer.

When asked about outside interest in Randall, Schumacher answered, “I don’t think so, not at this stage,” according to the Bolton News. “He’s still training with us.”But, of course, he’ll be a player who wants to go and play football, as others on the squad will realise that their game time is limited and they won’t have the opportunity to play.

As I said, we have 10 days or so to figure everything out and get where we need to be.”

Bolton Wanderers fans respond to the Joel Randall scenario.

Bolton fans were not sympathetic to Randall after it was reported that there was no interest in the attacking midfielder this summer.

One supporter said online, “One of the worst transfers in our history,” after the Bolton News shared the piece on X.Get him to work in the club shop. He might as well earn his income doing something. This has to be the worst transfer in the last decade. “He’ll be paid well, and we’ll be stuck with him until he walks out on his own,” another added.

Finally, Randall has no say in how much the organisation pays him per week since he came at the Toughsheet Stadium.

At the time, he was worth the expense. As previously stated, he was a key member of the Peterborough side that reached the League One play-offs in 2024, and he followed that up with seven goals and four assists in 25 games in the first half of the 2024/25 season.

Ultimately, he was an Ian Evatt acquisition, as evidenced by the fact that he brought him to Blackpool last season. “Evatt will bid 50p on deadline day,” a fan quipped in the comments.

I never understood the rationale behind that initial trade, nor did 99% of our followers, and that was before the benefit of hindsight. Even more unbelievable considering we lost fan favourite Collins in the process. That being said, one mildly sympathetic Bolton supporter wrote, “I hope Joel restarts his stalled career soon.”

Joel Randall needs a fresh start away from the Bolton Wanderers.

The last 18 months of Randall’s career have been quite difficult. After costing Bolton £1.3 million in League One, the 26-year-old is now battling to find a buyer to depart the Toughsheet Stadium.

Randall’s loan term at Blackpool did little to demonstrate why he was worth a seven-figure amount a year ago.

Joel Randall in League. One final season.

Bolton Wanderers

Blackpool

Appearances

15

10

Starts: 9 Goals: 1 Assists: 0

He became a victim of the Tangerines’ injury curse in only his second game at Bloomfield Road, and he spent more time on the bench than in the starting lineup during the run-in, during which Ian Evatt’s side won six of their last seven games.

Randall was obviously lacking confidence and requires a fresh start elsewhere. The only question is whether a club is willing to take a gamble on him regaining his Peterborough form while away from his current club.