Exclusive: Bolton Wanderers join Blackpool and Wigan Athletic in race to sign Stoke City player | OneFootball

Bolton Wanderers have joined the race to sign Stoke City's Niall Ennis, Football League World has learned

Bolton Wanderers have joined League One rivals Blackpool and Wigan Athletic in the race to sign Stoke City forward Niall Ennis, Football League World can exclusively reveal.

Ennis is currently on loan with Blackpool and is understood to have made a significant impression since returning to League One back in January.

The former Plymouth Argyle striker has registered six goals and one assist for Steve Bruce's side, who are one of a number of League One clubs looking to land him this summer, but they will now face strong competition from divisional rivals Bolton.

The season is effectively finished for all three sides, none of whom will be going either up or down. Bolton came the closest and threatened to secure a play-off finish following the January appointment of Steven Schumacher, but a four-match losing streak across April has cost the Trotters dearly.

Bolton join Blackpool, Wigan in race for Stoke's Niall Ennis

Sources close to FLW have revealed that Bolton are ready to rival Blackpool and Wigan for Ennis after his impressive loan stay at Bloomfield Road.

Back in January, FLW broke the news of Ennis' impending switch to Blackpool.

Schumacher is seemingly intent on securing an upgrade on starting striker Aaron Collins this summer, as Bolton look to go one better and return to the Championship for the first time in what would be seven years in the 2025/26 campaign.

Ennis' current contract at parent club Stoke is set to expire next summer, and the Wolverhampton Wanderers academy product has endured a difficult time in the Potteries.

After joining the club in February 2024 following a brief stint with Blackburn Rovers, Ennis has scored just twice from 26 appearances and will likely find himself surplus to requirements under Mark Robins this summer.

Steven Schumacher factor could help Bolton beat Blackpool, Wigan to Stoke's Niall Ennis

If there's one clear trump card that Bolton have to use in their pursuit of Ennis, it's the presence of Schumacher. The Trotters boss has previously enjoyed a fruitful relationship with Ennis, and it's no surprise that he's looking for a reunion this summer.

Ennis worked under Schumacher at Plymouth Argyle, where he enjoyed the best goalscoring form of his career by returning 14 strikes across all competitions in the 2022/23 season.

Schumacher proceeded to bring the now-26-year-old with him to Stoke just months after taking the job.

All in all, Ennis has been more prolific and frequently used under Schumacher than any other manager, with a record of 19 goals and 11 assists from 92 total career appearances under the Liverpudlian.

The striker has struggled in the Championship, but his League One record is extremely encouraging and could be exactly what Schumacher needs to lead Bolton back to the second-tier next term.