Swedish forward Jesper Ceesay is edging closer to securing a permanent move to English League One side Bolton Wanderers from Swedish top-flight club IFK Norrköping.
The 23-year-old has been a regular in the new Allsvenskan season, where he featured in 10 matches, scoring once and providing one assist, but now appears poised for a fresh challenge in England.
IFK Norrköping’s coach, Rikard Norling, recently confirmed the ongoing discussions, stating that the club is “in dialogue with another club” about Ceesay’s potential departure. Although no official announcement has been made yet, Norling was quick to point out that, for now, it’s simply a matter of communication between the two clubs. “I have been told by the club, that’s it,” Norling added, fuelling speculation that a deal may be imminent.
The Swedish outfit has been open about the possibility of Ceesay leaving this summer, with reports emerging of his growing interest from multiple clubs, particularly from England’s League One, where Bolton Wanderers have emerged as frontrunners for his signature.
Ceesay, who joined Norrköping from Swedish club Östersunds FK in 2021, has shown promising form since the start of the 2023 Allsvenskan campaign. In his 10 appearances, he has netted one goal and provided one assist, a solid return for the young forward in the competitive Swedish league.
Though not a prolific scorer, Ceesay’s all-around performances have caught the eye of scouts, and his ability to contribute to the team both offensively and defensively seems to be one of the key attributes that could make him a valuable addition to Bolton Wanderers.
Bolton Wanderers, managed by Ian Evatt, have been active in the transfer market this summer, and Ceesay’s move could prove to be an important one as they look to strengthen their squad for the upcoming season. The League One side, who narrowly missed out on the playoff spots last season, will be hoping that Ceesay can add the necessary firepower to their attacking line-up.
Bolton has made strides in their attempts to return to the Championship, and the acquisition of Ceesay would be seen as a statement of intent, giving the club the edge it needs in a competitive League One landscape. The forward, who is valued at €800,000 by the Transfermarkt, would be a relatively affordable but potentially high-impact signing for the club.