Update on fresh contract talks with Bolton Wanderers captain Ricardo Santos as admission made

Ian Evatt has said finalising a new contract for Bolton Wanderers captain Ricardo Santos is among the important business to conclude within the squad as talks remain ongoing heading into the summer break.

Wanderers skipper Santos is under contract until the summer of 2023 and has been at the club since 2020 after moving from Barnet.

The 26-year-old central defender has gone on to become a huge part of Evatt's side, playing 91 times in his two seasons at the University of Bolton Stadium and helping the club to automatic promotion out of League Two last campaign.

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This season in League One, he was given the captain's armband after the departure of previous skipper Antoni Sarcevic to Stockport County in October.

Santos' impressive performances on the pitch has seen Wanderers keen to extend his time at the club, with his contract currently running until mid-2023 and caught the attentions of Championship clubs.

Evatt has revealed he has spoken to Santos about him extending his time at the club as Wanderers seek to keep the defender at Wanderers for the long-term.

Recently, Santos has said that he is focusing on the rest of the season and that he does not want to rush into any decisions, though he stressed that he is happy at Wanderers and does not want that to be misinterpreted that he is stalling on making a choice.

The defender says he will sit down with boss Evatt and his agent in the summer to have proper discussions as he admits he would 'love' to stay and hopes the talks will be positive.

Evatt has previously said he is relaxed about the contract situation surrounding his skipper and is hopeful that Santos will