"An interesting one" - Bolton Wanderers star backed to seal Watford FC transfer | OneFootball

FLW's Bolton Wanderers fan pundit feels that their former keeper could make a good effort to compete for the Hornets' number one spot

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Nathan Baxter is being lined up by Watford as his contract at Bolton Wanderers comes to an end, according to exclusive Football League World sources.

The 26-year-old enjoyed a positive first season at the Toughsheet Community Stadium after signing from Chelsea in 2023, but, as has been the case with a lot of things surrounding Bolton this season, he found himself dropping out of form and thus out of favour, making only 26 League One appearances this season.

Baxter did not agree on a new deal with the club, so he will leave at the end of June when his contract expires. His ability as a goalkeeper has been shown at League One level, so to possibly move to a Watford side where he'd be operating mainly as a backup to Egil Selvik has scratched a few heads.

Not FLW's Bolton Wanderers fan pundit, Liam O'Meara, though, who feels that Baxter has what it takes to fight and take the starting spot in goal for the Hornets.

Nathan Baxter "has the ability" to play for Watford, according to fan pundit

When asked whether he feels that a move to Watford would be a bad move for Nathan Baxter's career, Liam disagreed, saying: "I think it's an interesting one. He's a London boy, so I understand why Watford would appeal to him as it's closer to home.

"I hold Nathan Baxter in high regard and I think he's a very good goalkeeper. 12 months ago he probably could've secured a Championship move."

Baxter played in the Championship before on loan at Hull City, and was one of the premier goalkeepers in League One two seasons ago, picking up 14 clean sheets in 33 league games.

"Being at a club like Watford, he could possibly pitch himself as a number one, he does have that ability in my view," he continued.

"He could move elsewhere to be a guaranteed number one, but I think that once goalkeepers move past the age of 24, it's difficult to climb up the ladder.

"Changes happen at Watford more than any other club, so he could theoretically make a case to be a number one there, so I'm not surprised at the move and I think he could make a fist of it."

Nathan Baxter has the opportunity to finally secure a starting Championship role with Watford - but it won't be easy

If Baxter does find himself signing for Watford upon the expiration of his Bolton Wanderers contract, he'll have the opportunity to be a recognisable Championship number one for the first time in his career.

Baxter did play Championship football with Hull City between 2021-2023, but only made 28 appearances across two seasons. His first season at Bolton was his first as a true starter since his loan move to Yeovil Town in 2018.

At Watford, he'll have the chance to prove himself at a high level, but he'll be battling with two internationals to do so in Daniel Bachmann and Egil Selvik.

Whilst Bachmann doesn't get regularly picked for Austria anymore, the 30-year-old has been capped 14 times for his country, whilst Selvik is being positioned as Norway's regular shot stopper with Orjan Nyland in his mid-thirties.

Additionally, Selvik performed more than admirably when given the chance in the second half of this season, conceding 19 and keeping six clean sheets in 16 games, compared to just five clean sheets in 22 when Bachmann was in goal during the first half of the campaign.

Baxter will have to take his chance in a similar vein to Selvik if offered to him. With a new man in the dugout at Vicarage Road, who Paul Pezzolano will choose to line out in goal will be one of the main decisions he'll have to make over pre-season.