Bolton Wanderers are set for a battle with Sheffield Wednesday over the services of Leyton Orient‘s Jack Moorhouse.
The 20-year-old, on loan from Manchester United, has been a rotation player under Richie Wellens this season, making nine starts out of 18 League One appearances in his first taste of senior football.
Bolton Could Swoop
According to Will Unwin in the Guardian’s daily Rumour Mill, Manchester United could cut short the midfielder’s loan this January in order to give him a new environment for the remainder of the season.
If this is the case, then Bolton Wanderers are interested in securing Moorhouse for the remainder of the season, but will have to beat Championship side Sheffield Wednesday as they look to recover from their turbulent season.
The Owls are able to do loan business this window, provided that the parent club covers the wages of the players they send to Hillsborough.
Henrik Pedersen’s side already have a rapport with United, having loaned in Harry Amass towards the end of the summer transfer window, with the full-back having since been recalled to Old Trafford amid interest from Stoke City.
For Bolton, Steven Schumacher’s side have had a shakeup with multiple exits touted, and have already confirmed that striker Victor Adeboyejo has left to join League One rivals Mansfield Town.
They have been in the market for a midfielder earlier in the window, but missed out on initial target Jamie Donley, who instead headed to Oxford United.
Will Moorhouse Fit?
Steven Schumacher has been exploring potential midfield signings if the reports over Jamie Donley are to be believed, and Jack Moorhouse could be a useful versatile option to have.
Primarily sitting deep, the 20-year-old can play further forward and with international experience for the Ireland under-21 side, is someone with a lot of promise that is yet to be seen fully.
With Leyton Orient having a clearout this January after exits for loanees Joe White and Tayo Adaramola confirmed, it is not too far-fetched to see Moorhouse also meet the same fate, having not been a clear first-choice option.
While Ethan Erhahon has not set the world alight since his switch from Lincoln City, he has built a very good partnership with Josh Sheehan, meaning a place in the starting eleven could still be out of reach.
Sheffield Wednesday’s struggles have been well documented and in dire need of some new faces, which may make the Owls a more appealing destination, with the remainder of the season at Hillsborough trying to pick up the pieces from Dejphon Chansiri’s exit.