Former Liverpool striker linked with bid to buy Bolton Wanderers

Reports have linked former Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt with a bid to take over struggling League One side Bolton Wanderers.

Administrators Paul Appleton and Asher Miller of David Rubin & Partners were appointed on May 13, to “ensure the continued existence” of the club.

Bolton Wanderers owner Ken Anderson said he had no alternative but to put the club into administration, on the day it faced action by HMRC in the High Court over £1.2m of unpaid taxes.

The move came after the proposed takeover by former Watford owner Laurence Bassini appeared to have collapsed.

Last week a statement by the joint administrators revealed that a ‘preferred bidder’ with ‘proof and source of significant funding’ had been identified.

It said the unnamed party had been ‘notified of their successful offer’ to buy the club.

Now, Dutch media has reported that Dutch football agent Rob Jansen said he and a number of former stars he represented – including Kuyt – have a dream of co-owning a side together.

He said: “It is a long-held wish to buy a club together with the number of players and former players for whom I am doing business.

“I and the players have a Utopian image of how that club should be led and what it takes to achieve the highest level. I am really looking forward to this adventure.

“I think it is very likely that it will succeed.”

He declined to reveal the name of the club, but reports claim it is in League One. And Dutch media believe it likely to be Bolton, who were relegated from the Championship last season and will start their 2019-20 campaign with a 12 points deduction for going into administration.

Last week joint administrator Paul Appleton said: “I am delighted we have been able to reach a more than satisfactory outcome to this stage of the process and I am confident the preferred bidder has the ability to take Bolton Wanderers forward.

“We are now working towards a signed Heads of Terms agreement.

“I can assure all Bolton Wanderers fans that the preferred bidder has both the financial ability and the determination to turn around the fortunes of this great football club.”

Dirk Kuyt, 38, retired from football last year after spells at Liverpool, Fenerbahce and Feyenoord.