Bolton Wanderers manager Steven Schumacher has explained why the Trotters turned down League One rivals Luton’s summer window interest in midfielder Aaron Morley.

The 25-year-old, who was a member of Manchester City’s academy as a child, joined the Trotters from Rochdale in January 2022 after spending the first part of last season on loan at Wycombe Wanderers, who were managed at the time by current Town boss Matt Bloomfield.

Morley returned to the Toughsheet Stadium in January and went on to play 19 more games for Bolton, scoring three more goals.

This season, he has appeared in five games and is approaching his 150th appearance for the club.

On Monday’s transfer deadline day, there were speculations that Bloomfield and his previous Chairboys club were both attempting to sign Morley for a second time, but the window closed with the midfielder still in place.

Speaking to the Bolton News on why he maintained a player who had only made two league starts so far, he said:

“We didn’t really change our thoughts on anything. I don’t believe there was a bid for Aaron on deadline day, but Wycombe and Luton had expressed interest previously.

“They made queries, and we told in no uncertain terms that if they wanted him, they needed to make a bid for what we think he’s worth, because he is a huge, significant player for us.

I know he, Josh Sheehan, Xavi Simons, and Ethan Erhahon want to play every minute of every game, but they won’t; they’ll have to play when called upon, that’s just how it is.

Aaron is a huge player for us, a really excellent player, and until someone is willing to pay what we value – and I’m not involved in that – I knew he wasn’t going anywhere. It would be the same if I wanted one of their midfielders, so ‘no’.”

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