Bolton Near To Diawara Deal

By Mark Heys
January 26 2007

Mali international Fousenni Diawara is near to signing a deal which would keep him at Bolton Wanderers until the end of the current season.

Agent Franck Belhassen remains optimistic that the loan deal will be sealed without any problems for the 26-year old who can play either as a right full back or centre half.

St Etienne defender Diawara has already been training with the Wanderers recently and has spent a previous spell on trial with the club back in the 2003-2004 campaign, where he made an appearance in the friendly game against Real Mallorca.

Belhassen says the temporary agreement for Diawara could be extended beyond the summer if he manages to make a good impression during his stint at the Reebok Stadium.

"I am optimistic if there are no problems then he will join Bolton until the end of the season. Bolton have been aware of the player for some time, He is a right back but he can play in the centre of defence. If everything goes well with the loan then we will talk about extending the contract next season." confirmed Belhassen

Diawara himself was happy at the prospect of being able to start a new chapter in his career after falling out of favour with his current club since the early part of this season.

Since his childhood he has known current Wanderers defender Abdoulaye Meite, with whom he was also a junior player alongside at the French lower league club Red Star Paris.

"I am happy to be at Bolton and I already know a couple of players like Abdoulaye Meite, who is a childhood friend." said Diawara

"Regarding my situation at St Etienne, it was time for me to find another solution.
I understand the coach does not have faith in me. I'm not leaving on bad terms, there is no problem,"

"I know what I gave to that team. It was difficult to be axed at the beginning of the season, despite all my determination, but I will always respect the boss's decision.".

Meanwhile, Bolton have been linked with a number of players before the closure of next week's transfer window. Spurs duo Danny Murphy and Anthony Gardner, Slovenian international Lubomir Michalik and Sheffield United contract rebel Keith Gillespie are just a selection of names that the media are banding around at the moment.

Trotters manager Sam Allardyce is hoping for at least one big addtion to his squad before next Wednesday, but he confirmed that defender Tal Ben-Haim would not be leaving the Reebok until the summer.