Bolton boss Coyle keen on bagging bargain Shaun Wright-Phillips
Published:Bolton boss Owen Coyle has admitted he’d love to sign Manchester City’s Shaun Wright-Phillips – but only if a deal can be reached over his wages.
Wright-Phillips has been out of favour for some time at the Etihad Stadium and has struggled to hold down a first team place.
However, that hasn’t put off Coyle, and the signing of Wright-Phillips would represent a huge coup for the manager as he looks to build on the good work of last season.
Speaking to the Metro, he said: “In an ideal world, I’d be interested if he was available, and I have to say ‘if’ because there have been stories hanging around that we’ve been granted permission to speak to him.
“I don’t know about the other clubs but I haven’t been granted permission by anyone at Manchester City.”
One thing that is putting off Coyle though is the wage demands of a player leaving the richest club in the world.
Coyle added: “He’s very talented but you have to accept that sometimes players at the elite clubs are difficult because of finances.”
Bolton finished in 14th spot last season but were just two points off securing a top ten finish for the first time since 2007 after losing all of their last five games.
With Daniel Sturridge going back to Chelsea and Johan Elmander heading to Galatasaray, Bolton are in need of some proven quality to boost their attacking options.
If Wright-Phillips does join the Trotters and they hang on to Arsenal target Gary Cahill, backing them to finish in the top ten this season at 23/10 looks to be a bet well worth taking on.
