Bolton Wanderers boss Steven Schumacher has been addressing the possibility of signing Celtic striker Johnny Kenny this summer.
Kenny is expected to leave Parkhead in some form after enjoying a positive spell out on loan with Bolton from the January of last season. The forward contributed to a Wanderers campaign that ultimately resulted in promotion via the play-offs, although he missed the final stage of the season due to an injury.
Kenny is back in training and recovered, but a question mark remains over his future, and while Bolton could well make a move, they do not appear close to striking a deal at this stage.
Schumacher issues Kenny update
Speaking to the Bolton News about the possibility of offering Kenny a spot in his Championship squad, Schumacher said: "Who knows?"
"I've spoken openly and not hid the fact that I thought Johnny did a great job for us last season. He was a real bonus for us, a plus when we signed him in January.
"He was a player that I tried to sign last summer, didn't manage to happen because Celtic needed him to stay in their squad. We managed to get him in January; he came in, made a huge impact, scored some really important goals for us, got some assists, and he's a player who I've said I would love to work with again because he was a brilliant character.
"Now, whether we can make that happen again, I'm not sure. I don't know whether we can financially afford it. I don't know whether he will be available from Celtic in whatever department, on loan or on a permanent. We're not sure, but as I say, he's a player I would love to work with again."
Celtic likely to allow a full sale
With Kenny now 23 years of age and not looking as though he will be a starter for Celtic any time soon, it's likely the club will agree to sell him to Bolton, providing the English club are willing to pay the requested transfer fee, whatever that is.
Kenny is now behind Kasper Hogh, Camilo Duran and Callum Osmand, meaning he is unlikely to see any game time, and Osmand is a younger player, which says a lot about how the Bhoys view Kenny.
Celtic will likely ask for anywhere between £1.5million and £3million to do a deal, but if Bolton come in with a loan offer, the player is young enough that the Bhoys would likely be open to that, too. The ball is really in Bolton's court at this stage, given it is clear Kenny is not part of Martin O'Neill's immediate plans.
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