Owen Coyle would be keen to sign Tim Ream for Bolton, but understands why New York Red Bulls have insisted the defender is not for sale.
Bolton boss can understand Red Bulls' 'not for sale' stance
Owen Coyle has confirmed he would be keen to sign Tim Ream for Bolton Wanderers, but understands why New York Red Bulls have insisted the defender is not for sale.
Ream is spending a few days training with the Trotters after enjoying last week with Premier League rivals West Bromwich Albion.
Baggies boss Roy Hodgson was impressed by the centre-half and admitted he was considering a bid to sign Ream on loan in the January transfer window.
The 24-year-old has also caught the eye at the Reebok Stadium and Coyle believes Ream has the quality to be part of the Bolton squad.
However, Red Bulls sporting director Eric Soler has stressed Ream has made the trip to England to gain experience and that, as far as he is concerned, the USA international will be with the Major League Soccer club next year.
Outstanding
"Would we like to have him at the football club? Absolutely," Coyle said.
"Red Bulls have said that he is not for sale and that is totally understandable - I would say that about my top players.
"Tim Ream is an outstanding player. He is someone I have known about for a couple of years now and I have watched his games extensively.
"I can totally understand why the Red Bulls would say he is their player, because he is a prized asset.
"But he has come in here, conducted himself very well and shown his quality - he has a lot of similar qualities to (Bolton's USA international) Stuart Holden, in terms of mentality and how he sees the game and wants to progress, and those are attributes I love.
"He is a New York Red Bulls player and I wouldn't say anything else beside that because you have to respect that he has come in for a week's training with the permission of the club.
"We'll leave it at that for the moment, and we'll see what January brings."
