Ian Evatt's summer transfer interest view on Bolton Wanderers duo Ricardo Santos & Dapo Afolayan

Ian Evatt admits there have been 'conversations' over Bolton Wanderers duo Dapo Afolayan and Ricardo Santos from other clubs this summer but that the message has been a consistent one that deep pockets will be needed to prise them away.

Santos is club captain and was voted the club's players' player of last season after another standout campaign for the club. Afolayan meanwhile was the club's top scorer with 14 goals and player of the season.

The duo are two of the biggest assets at Wanderers. Naturally, their performances have attracted the attentions of sides in the Championship, the division Wanderers intend to challenge for promotion to this season.

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Evatt has spoken in the past that he would expect Wanderers to be tested by other clubs for the duo. He admits there have been conversations with clubs this summer over the pair, with Santos even admitting he had other options before he commited his future to Wanderers.

But the message has always been a consistent one - that any potential suitors will need 'deep pockets' and pay what Wanderers deem the likes of Santos and Afolayan to be worth. Bolton hold the advantage with Afolayan still having two more years to run on his deal, while Santos has just signed a new three-year contract with Wanderers.

The pair were both involved in the club's pre-season training camp to the Algarve in Portugal. Evatt believes it is evidence that Wanderers mean business when it comes to keeping hold of their best players.

He said: “Again, there have been conversations but there has been a consistent message, and that is if clubs want to come and take our players they had better have