Bolton Wanderers proposed move for KAA Gent striker Max Dean appears to have collapsed after the clubs failed to agree the terms of a sell-on clause.
The Trotters had been expected to complete the signing of the 22-year-old after reports emerged over the weekend that a seven-figure deal had been agreed with the Belgian club.
Dean was reportedly due to undergo a medical at the Toughsheet Community Stadium, with Bolton seemingly having beaten competition from Championship rivals Millwall for his signature. However, the move now appears unlikely to proceed before the transfer deadline.
Unofficial agent spokesman and journalist Pete O’Rourke claims the deal is now off because the two clubs could not reach an agreement over a sell-on clause.
“Max Dean’s proposed move to Bolton from KAA Gent appears to be off after the two clubs could not reach an agreement regards a sell-on clause.”
The development represents a frustrating setback for Steven Schumacher as he attempts to complete his squad following Bolton’s promotion to the Championship.
Bolton Wanderers Deal Hits Late Obstacle
Bolton have already added several attacking players during the summer, including Kyliane Dong, Samuel Iling-Junior and Jayden Nelson, all of whom we saw this weekend. Ryan Hardie has also arrived to strengthen their options through the middle, but Dean was expected to provide further competition at centre-forward.
The former Leeds United youngster established his senior reputation with MK Dons after moving to Stadium MK in January 2023. He scored 20 goals and supplied five assists across 43 appearances, earning a move to Gent in the summer of 2024.
Dean continued to make an impression in Belgium, recording 20 goals and three assists in 56 appearances for Gent. His progress was interrupted by a serious knee injury, but he returned during the 2025/26 campaign and finished the season with seven goals and one assist from 24 matches.
Those figures, combined with his age, made him an attractive target for a Bolton side looking to develop a new-look Championship attack. Dean is primarily a penalty-box striker, but he also brings energy out of possession and is willing to press defenders high up the pitch.
The proposed transfer appeared to have reached an advanced stage, making its apparent collapse particularly disappointing for Bolton. Although the clubs seem to have agreed the main structure of the deal, the inability to settle the sell-on terms has seemingly prevented it from being completed.
There may still be time for the situation to change if either side compromises before the deadline. As things stand, though, Bolton look set to miss out on a player they had pursued for some time, potentially forcing Schumacher and the club’s recruitment team to consider alternative options during the closing hours of the window.
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