Bolton Wanderers urged to sign Preston North End man to solve "big problem" for Steven Schumacher | OneFootball

Ryan Ledson has been linked with a move to the Trotters as he prepares to leave PNE

Bolton Wanderers have been urged to make attempts to sign out-of-contract Preston North End midfielder Ryan Ledson in the upcoming summer transfer window to add a new dimension to their midfield options, following reports of the Trotters' interest in his services.

Bolton missed out on the League One play-offs in the season just gone, as Steven Schumacher struggled to make instant improvements to his side after his appointment as head-coach at the end of January.

The Trotters will have long been planning for a busy summer window as they look to bring in some of the ex-Stoke City boss' targets and move on players that may be facing reduced game-time in the new season.

Out-of-contract Preston midfielder Ledson looks to be one of those targeted players, and the Wanderers have been told to bring him in this summer as he seeks a new challenge with a League One move likely.

Bolton fan pundit issues Ryan Ledson summer transfer demand amid Josh Sheehan exit prediction

Ledson's seven-year stay at Preston is soon due to come to an end, after the club confirmed earlier this month that he would be departing this summer with his current contract set to expire in June.

He has been in-and-out of the Lilywhites' starting eleven under numerous different managers over the years, but is a solid player at second-tier level, and even picked up their Players and Supporters Player of the Year awards for the 2020/21 season.

The 27-year-old's impending Deepdale departure has reportedly alerted numerous clubs to his availability this summer. The Daily Record have claimed that Bolton are interested in snapping him up on a free transfer soon, with Oxford United, Plymouth Argyle, Huddersfield Town and Scottish side Hibernian also linked with a move.

Ledson would no doubt be a great addition to Schumacher's ranks as the Trotters look to stage a League One promotion push next season, and our Wanderers fan pundit, Liam O'Meara would be happy to see him sign for his club this summer, as he believes he would fit their style of play and add a new dimension to their midfield, especially if Josh Sheehan departs as expected.

“I would expect that we are looking to offload players, particularly in midfield," Liam told FLW.

“I have a feeling that Josh Sheehan may leave this summer. I just believe that there is going to be sufficient interest in him, and while I think Sheehan is a fantastic player, I do think his playing style determines the way that you have to play.

“So, you didn’t see him getting used as much away from home as you did at home, where you are more likely to have an easier time in terms of picking the ball up from defence and playing it into midfield.

“I can see there being departures, so on that basis, absolutely I would (be happy to sign Ledson) because he is a different profile to the midfielders that we already have.

“We need different midfielders. We have too many players of similar profiles, which I think has been a big problem.”

Ledson would be a top signing in League One - Bolton may struggle to sign him amid Hibs' interest

Ledson has failed to properly impact Preston's fortunes over the last few seasons, with a lack of progression since his 2020/21 exploits likely owing to his lack of a contract offer and subsequent release from Deepdale this summer.

With that said, he is still a player who has played regularly in the Championship for the last seven years, with four goals and 11 assists in 191 second-tier appearances since he joined the Lilywhites.

He was previously a standout in League One with Oxford United, at just 20-years-old, and so is surely likely to be one of the best defensive midfielders in the division if he chooses to drop down once again at the age of 27, with experience and nous added to his existing quality.

The issue for Bolton is that Plymouth are set to be one of the stronger sides in the third-tier next term, especially if Miron Muslic is still in charge, and so they will fancy their chances of tempting Ledson with a move to Home Park ahead of the likes of Huddersfield and the Trotters.

The potential stumbling block all of those aforementioned sides may face is if his former side Oxford shore up their interest with a contract offer, which would see him stay in the Championship at a club that he already has strong ties to.

As well as that, Hibernian are a major player in Scotland right now, and have guaranteed their place in European competition for next season after finishing third in the Scottish Premiership under David Gray.

The chance to pit himself against some of the continent's top talent would surely be too good for Ledson to turn down, so Bolton need to act fast to secure his services if they are serious about making him theirs for next season and beyond.