Bolton Confirm Alex Interest

By Mark Heys
December 8 2006

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce says that he will make a move for midfielder Alessandro Santos should the Japan international become available.

The Urawa Red Diamonds ace, known more commonly as Alex, was born in Brazil but has represented Japan alongside former Wanderers stars Akinori Nishizawa and Hidetoshi Nakata, the latter of whom has given Bolton a glowing recommendation.

A trio of Premiership clubs are said to be extremely keen with ourselves, West Ham and Wigan Athletic all wanting to bring the left sider to England when the transfer window reopens next month.

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce did confirm that the 29-year old was of interest to the Trotters in the summer and a move in the winter is a possible option.

"We looked at Santos in the summer and felt at the time it wasn't right to sign him for a number of reasons, Mainly, because we felt that Ricardo Gardner would have been back in action sooner rather than later." said Allardyce yesterday

"I looked at him during the World Cup and I was quite impressed with him. He is a left-sided player with some real qualities. If he becomes available in January we could make a move for him."

Leeds United and Charlton Athletic nearly brought the Alex over to England in the 2003-2004 season but at that time the player was keen to keep in his adopted homeland in the J-league.