Bolton Wanderers are set to be faced with a January transfer window decision as League One promotion rivals Stockport County consider a deal for Josh Dacres-Cogley.
The right-back’s future with the Trotters is up in the air as his influence in the team continues to wane since joining in 2023 from Tranmere Rovers.
He has made over 120 appearances, scoring four goals and contributing 18 assists from defensive positions. He was also part of the 2024 Bolton team that lost to Oxford United in the League One play-off final at Wembley.
The 29-year-old has also been on the books of Birmingham City and Crawley Town.
However, according to Alan Nixon, he is attracting interest from Dave Challinor’s promotion-chasing side.
Stockport County Consider Transfer Offer for Bolton Wanderers Defender Josh Dacres-Cogley
The Trotters are reportedly willing to allow the former Blues player to leave this window, after he has only been able to appear 13 times in the league from a possible 25 games.
Stephen Schumacher is actively looking to slimline his squad and has identified a number of players that they would look to move on.
Several sides have been linked to the player in the past, including Lincoln City, Port Vale, Aberdeen, and Bristol Rovers, amongst others. But now a move away appears to be closer than ever.
Decision to Make for Bolton Wanderers
Whilst the club are looking to move Dacres-Cogley on, directly strengthening a potential promotion rival is something that Stephen Schumacher will be hoping to avoid.
Stockport County currently sit in fourth place, just three points ahead of Bolton Wanderers, with the fight for promotion proving to be a close and intense battle.
The clubs that have been mentioned as a destination for the defender prior to this report have all been in the lower end of the League One table. Which would understandably be preferable to a direct rival.
The 29-year-old is still a solid option at third tier level and has proved he can still compete if in the right environment. He could well link up with County and find a new lease of life with the confidence placed in him through the transfer.
Right-backs are rarely the difference makers in a team, with forwards and goalkeepers having a greater impact. But in such a tight battle, it can be the fine margins that make the difference, and if Dacres-Cogley adds 1% to Stockport County, that may be enough to seal Championship football next season.