Bolton Wanderers are reportedly set to win the race for Kilmarnock midfielder David Watson, despite previous interest from Celtic.
The 21-year-old is expected to make the move to England this summer, with Bolton now closing in on a deal for the Scotland under-21 international ahead of their return to the Championship.
Watson has been one of the brighter young players in Scottish football over recent seasons, coming through the Kilmarnock system before establishing himself in the first team at Rugby Park. He has been linked with a number of clubs, including Celtic, but it now appears Bolton are set to secure his signature.
Bolton Set To Win Watson Race
According to the Daily Record, promoted Bolton are now set to sign Watson on freedom of contract, with the cross-border nature of the move limiting the compensation Kilmarnock will receive compared with what would have been due had he stayed in Scotland.
The report states that Bolton had already shown interest in January, when they were still in League One, and had a six-figure bid rejected during the winter window. Kilmarnock opted to keep him at that stage, with the midfielder playing a part in their successful fight to retain their Scottish Premiership status.
Since then, Wanderers have secured promotion to the Championship, beating Stockport County in the League One play-off final, and they now appear to have moved decisively to add Watson to Steven Schumacher’s squad.
The midfielder is said to have had offers from Aberdeen, other Scottish Premiership clubs, Italian sides and teams in England, but he has chosen Bolton as the next step in his career. That represents a significant coup for Wanderers, particularly given the level of competition around him.
Celtic Interest Fades As English Move Nears
Celtic had previously been strongly linked with Watson, particularly during the January window, when his performances for Kilmarnock had attracted wider attention. The Scottish champions have often been urged to look more closely at domestic talent, with Watson among a group of Scottish Premiership players mentioned as possible options.
However, no move from Celtic appears to have developed this summer, leaving Bolton in position to land a player who has already built up considerable senior experience for his age.
Watson, an attacking midfielder, made his senior Kilmarnock debut in 2021 and has gone on to make more than 100 league appearances for the club. He also won both the Scottish Football Writers’ Association Young Player of the Year and PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year awards for the 2023/24 campaign, after helping Killie finish fourth and qualify for Europe.
He scored his first European goal in July 2024, netting in a UEFA Europa League qualifier against Cercle Brugge, further underlining his development as one of Kilmarnock’s key young players.