A number of clubs are registering their interest in Bolton Wanderers striker Aaron Collins, with League Two side MK Dons emerging as a surprise suitor for the Welshman.
Collins made the move to Bolton Wanderers in January 2024, joining from Bristol Rovers on the back of an exceptional three years for the Pirates.
The forward has been particularly prolific at League One level for several years, and still only 28, the striker still has much to offer at the level.
Aaron Collins to MK Dons
Reports from Darren Witcoop via X have stated that League One duo Cardiff City and Huddersfield Town have Collins as a potential transfer target, while MK Dons are pushing for an ambitious move for the striker.
Huddersfield are no strangers to business with Bolton, having acquired Dion Charles last January and the West Yorkshire outfit has also been busy in the transfer window, signing defenders Joe Low and Sean Roughan from divisional rivals.
However, any move from Cardiff would appear strange, with the club still searching for a first-team manager.
If he were to make a move to Stadium MK, the talisman would be joining a number of ambitious incomings made under Paul Warne this window.
MK Dons have caught the headlines this window, with Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Rushian Hepburn-Murphy, and Gethin Jones, who is reportedly undergoing a medical at the club after his release from Bolton Wanderers.
With the club now pushing for a prolific forward from the division above, pressure is beginning to mount on Paul Warne’s side to deliver next summer, with the club boasting a plethora of personnel experienced in divisions above.
Would Bolton Wanderers sell Aaron Collins?
While it is yet to be seen whether Bolton Wanderers would be willing to sell their top scorer, Collins is contracted with the club until 2027, so any decision is down to the Trotters.
However, the club have shown to be willing to sell for the right price, with Dion Charles making the switch to fellow League One club Huddersfield Town last January.
Bolton’s transfer window is set to be an interesting one, after the club had a disappointing 2024-25 campaign, finishing just outside of the play-offs just a season after narrowly missing out on automatic promotion.
Stephen Schumacher took charge in January and having previously won promotion at the level with Plymouth Argyle, it can be expected to see wholesale changes at the club.
Bolton already possess a great deal of attacking talent in their ranks, with John McAtee, Klaidi Lolos and Joel Randell all best suited to roles behind a striker.
It would be strange to see the Whites enable Collins a move to potential promotion rivals in Huddersfield Town and Cardiff City, given the striker’s importance in the current squad while proving himself as a top player at the level, with both Bolton and Bristol Rovers.
However, a change in the formation or profile of striker may bring the best out of the other forwards at the club.
Aaron Collins’ statistics over the years (all competitions):
- 2024-25: 19 goals, 5 assists
- 2023-24: 14 goals, 10 assists
- 2022-23: 16 goals, 11 assists
- 2021-22: 18 goals, 2 assists