Dapo Afolayan's encouraging verdict on Bolton Wanderers next season & future amid transfer links

Dapo Afolayan believes Bolton Wanderers can grow as a team with him in it next season as the club aims for the top six at least and says he does not read into things that are said about him amid reported interest from other sides.

The 24-year-old attacker has had a great season in front of goal, finding the back of the net 14 times for Wanderers this campaign and has been the club's top scorer.

He has been up there with the best players this season for Wanderers after joining from Premier League side West Ham United last summer.

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With his performances out on the pitch has inevitably seen interest from other sides, with Fulham and Cardiff reportedly looking at Afolayan, though the Bluebirds have played down any links.

The Wanderers attacker insists he does not read into what is spoken or written about him though and believes Bolton can grow with him, as he believes the Whites have the potential to compete with the top teams in the division next season.

He said: “I don’t really worry about it. I don’t read into a lot of the things that are said.

“I know how I am performing, the manager knows how I am performing, and if he has an issue with anything then he will tell me honestly. We are very, very open with each other and that is one thing that has helped me improve massively. He has always told me areas of my game that I can improve.

“And that way when I do, and hopefully if I do, step up to the next level as a player then I can always perform. I think it is necessary.

“If you look at our results since January and our performances, I think we have lost three in 19 and played against some big teams.

“We have shown we have