Bolton Wanderers are set for transfer heartbreak on deadline day, as their mooted move for English striker Max Dean appears to have fallen through for one important reason.

According to Pete O’Rourke of X, Bolton will miss out on signing Gent striker Dean because the two teams were unable to reach an agreement on a sell-on clause included in the deal.

This will come as a significant setback to Steven Schumacher, who has been actively exploring more attacking alternatives this summer, with Dean having been on their radar for a few weeks at this point.

Bolton Wanderers are expected to miss out on Max Dean’s acquisition due to a disagreement with Gent regarding the sell-on clause.

Bolton have been one of the busiest clubs in the Championship this summer, bringing in 13 new players as the Trotters look to maintain their second-tier position after winning the play-offs the previous season.

Among those acquisitions are Gavin Bazunu, David Watson, and Ben Davies, as Schumacher seeks to strengthen all aspects of the pitch following promotion.

Dean would have bolstered the Trotters’ offensive options, as Alan Nixon revealed that the former MK Dons striker was scheduled to have a physical at the club over three weeks ago.

Football League World had exclusively reported that Championship rivals Millwall had expressed an interest in the former Leeds United youth star, but their interest was quashed after Lyndon Dykes joined the club.

The deal with Bolton has hung in the balance ever since, and it now appears to have fallen through, as Schumacher’s side will now attempt to pursue other targets in the last hours, with Reims forward Oumar Diakité being connected.

Why Bolton Wanderers wanted Max Dean

Dean, 22, came through the junior levels at Leeds United but did not make a senior appearance for the Whites. He then joined League One club Milton Keynes Dons in January 2023, where he quickly established himself.

He scored 20 goals and assisted five in 43 games across all competitions at Stadium MK before being paid £2 million by Belgian club Gent to bring the Englishman across the continent 18 months later, where he has since amassed an impressive goal record of 20 goals and three assists in 56 games across all competitions.

Dean may have had even more if it hadn’t been for his chronic injury troubles, but he now appears to be settling in Belgium for the time being.

With Bolton having lost Amario Cozier-Duberry, Mason Burstow, Johnny Kenny, Marcus Forss, Corey Blackett-Taylor, and Rob Apter over the summer, attacking reinforcements were always going to be a priority this summer, especially now that a deal for Dean appears to be dead.

With just hours till the transfer deadline, Steven Schumacher must consider attacking alternatives.

Whilst a deal for Dean doesn’t look to be on the cards anymore, Bolton can still count the likes of Gaizka Larrazabal, Kyliane Dong, Ryan Hardie, Samuel Iling-Junior, and Jayden Nelson to their attacking signings this summer.

At least one additional centre-forward appears to be the aim for Bolton with the deadline drawing up after their approach for Dean faltered.

The Trotters’ transfer activity is one to keep an eye on in the closing stages of the window, whilst Dean might yet be on the move this summer should an acceptable offer from elsewhere emerge.