Bolton Wanderers have identified a potential replacement for Amario Cozier-Duberry as Steven Schumacher’s side plans for next season.
Which division the Trotters ultimately end up in is still up in the air as they push for a third-placed finish in League One and will be no doubt buoyed by their late comeback win over top six rivals Wycombe Wanderers.
However, their planning for next season has not been deterred by that uncertainty, and have seemingly found a potential right winger to replace Amario Cozier-Duberry, who as it stands, will head back to parent club Brighton and Hove Albion.
Crewe Star High On List
According to Alan Nixon via his Patreon page, Bolton are set for a head-to-head battle with Huddersfield Town to sign Tommi O’Reilly in the summer as the Aston Villa man looks set to progress up the leagues.
Currently starring for Crewe Alexandra as they battle to reach the League Two playoffs, the 22-year-old has spearheaded the Railwaymen’s efforts in the fourth tier with six goals and 10 assists.
Having played in 40 matches across all competitions at Gresty Road, the versatile attacking midfielder has finally found his feet after a string of loans away from Villa Park, having also featured for MK Dons and Shrewsbury Town.
O’Reilly has just over two left on his contract with Unai Emery’s side, but with no feasible path into the first team as it stands despite the conversations around Harvey Elliott this campaign, O’Reilly looks set to move onwards to two sides which can challenge at the very top of League One, or in the case of Bolton, in the Championship.
However, the pair are not alone in wanting to sign O’Reilly, with Nixon also suggesting that some unnamed clubs are trailing both the Terriers and Wanderers in securing the services of Crewe’s number 26.
Pair Look For New Spark
Heading into the summer, both Bolton Wanderers and Huddersfield Town are pursuing Tommi O’Reilly, perhaps for different reasons than the other.
For Bolton, there is of course uncertainty around which division they will be playing in next season, but whether Amario Cozier-Duberry sticks around at the Toughsheet Community Stadium also remains in the balance.
The Brighton loanee has already proven how game-changing he can be in League One, and will surely be eyeing a move to the Championship over the next few months.
While Bolton may be able to secure their star winger if they prevail in the playoffs, should they fall short then Tommi O’Reilly could be the ideal replacement for the former Blackburn Rovers man.
In Huddersfield’s case, they would be more likely to use the 22-year-old in a more central role and could come in as the successor to Leo Castledine, who was recalled by Chelsea in order to facilitate a sale to Middlesbrough.
This latest string of games has really highlighted the impact Castledine’s exit has had on the Terriers, with Liam Manning’s side failing to score against struggling sides in Doncaster Rovers and Wigan Athletic.
While O’Reilly may not be able to replicate the goal output of the former Town star, his chance creation and pass accuracy could be the key to unlock the goalscoring potential of a player like Bojan Radulovic.