Ian Evatt has ruled out Bolton Wanderers making a move for departing Portsmouth midfielder Gareth Evans.
The 32-year-old is due to leave the Fratton Park club and reports on the south coast have linked him with a move to Wanderers.
Evans has been with Pompey since 2015 and won the League Two title in 2017 and the EFL Trophy in 2019 during his time there.
Evans himself has taken to Instagram to confirm his departure from the League One club.
He posted: "Thank you to all the fans for your unwavering support. My family and I have been made to feel so welcome in this magnificent city. I’ll be back one day."
Speaking ahead of this weekend's match against Newport County, Bolton head coach Evatt was asked about Evans and the reports linking him with a move to the University of Bolton Stadium.
But although Evans is on the move, Evatt has confirmed that he will not be joining Bolton, and fresh reports today have suggested that Wanderers' League Two rivals Bradford City have joined the chase for the midfielder.
Discussing the reasons why for not pursuing the Evans situation further, the Wanderers boss pointed to the options he already has in his squad in the midfield areas.
Bolton have Tom White, Brandon Comley, Ronan Darcy, Ali Crawford, Andrew Tutte and Antoni Sarcevic to call upon in that area of the pitch.
In terms of any more new incomings, Evatt is targeting the striking department.
The Bolton head coach said: "He’s (Evans) not coming here.
“He’s obviously a player I’m aware of.
"However, in the midfield area when Sarce gets back fit, obviously we’ve got Ronan Darcy, Tuttey, Brandon Comley, Whitey and Ali Crawford at the moment.
"That’s not an area that we need to strengthen. It’s more the top end of the pitch I’d say where we’re looking to bring players in."
