De La Pena Linked With Wanderers Move

By Mark Heys
January 20 2007

Espanyol midfielder Ivan De La Pena is the latest name to be linked with a move to Bolton Wanderers as the Trotters continue their global search for new additions before the closure of the transfer window.

The 30-year old is coming to the end of his contract with his current club and is hopeful of agreeing terms on a new two year deal, but the Wanderers could steal in at the last moment and persuade the former Spanish international to seal a move to the Premiership.

De La Pena has previously been under the Bolton microscope and would fit into the category of player which Sam Allardyce craves to have in his squad at the Reebok Stadium. However, Athletico Bilbao and Racing Santander are also keen on the player who has won a number of honours during his early career with Barcelona.

Santander would prove particularly appealing for De La Pena as that is the place of his birth, but Allardyce has previously had success when bringing the likes of Ivan Campo and Fernando Hierro over to Bolton following spells in La Liga.

Meanwhile, Allardyce confirmed to the Bolton News that he enquired about West Ham United captain Nigel Reo-Coker after the Hammers sounded him out about Tal Ben-Haim's availability.