By Mark Heys
August 30 2005

Southampton's out of favour wide man Fabrice Fernandes is on the verge of moving back to the Premiership with Bolton Wanderers.... The 25-year old Frenchman has expressed a desire to leave the South Coast ever since the Saints lost their top flight status back in May of this year and it appears as if Bolton are now willing to offer him a quick-fire route back into the top tier of English football.

Fernandes agent Willie McKay confirmed that terms has been agreed between his client and Bolton, with only a routine medical standing in the way of the deal being rubber stamped before tommorows deadline.

"Fabrice is up in Bolton currently undergoing a medical, Hopefully, all that goes well and he can sign. Everything has been agreed between Fabrice and Bolton and he is keen to get back playing in The Premiership." McKay said

Dead-ball specialist Fernandes first came to English football on loan from Rennes as part of Jean Tigana's Fulham revolution in the 2000-2001 season. Along with countrymen Louis Saha, Sylvain Legwinski and Steed Malbranque he helped the Cottagers to the First Division title in 2001 but surprisingly cut short his year long spell in London for a short loan stint with Glasgow Rangers.

Rennes then loaned him out again to fellow French club Marseille before Southampton brought him back to English football in December 2001 for a fee of around £1.2 million.

Fernandes best season with the Saints came in 2002-2003 when he proved to be adaptable on either flank but a high profile off field incident hampered his progress on the South Coast.

The French ace is currently available on a Free Transfer having mutually agreed to cancel the remaining year of his Saints contract and he could be followed by former team mate Olivier Bernard who has been on trial with Bolton for 10 days.