By Mark Heys
December 10 2007

The father and agent of Maccabi Netanya midfielder Tamir Cohen both claim that there has been interest in the Israeli international from Bolton Wanderers ahead of the opening of next month's January transfer window.

The 24-year old has only been at Netanya since the start of this year but his performances for the Diamonds have attracted the attentions of other clubs overseas.

A couple of weeks ago Bolton and Championship side Leicester City where mentioned as possible suitors for the player but it now sees as if Wanderers manager Gary Megson will steal a march on his former side to get the signature of the highly rated star.

Cohen's agent Pini Zahavi is almost certain that the player will end up plying his trade in England before the end of the season and this was a view echoed by the players father Avi Cohen, a man who is familiar to British fans having played for Liverpool and Glasgow Rangers in the 1980's.

"Nothing is signed but I am certain that Tamir will be playing in England this winter, if not at Bolton then elsewhere," said Zahavi

Cohen senior went on to add that although nothing was agreed with Bolton there has been interest from the Trotters in his son.

"Tamir very much wants to play for Bolton and they are very interested. Nothing is signed but there is a basic agreement,” said Cohen

If Cohen does sign for the Wanderers then he will be the third Israeli to represent the club behind Tal Ben-Haim and Idan Tal, both of whom he knows from the international team.