Miguel Veloso to Manchester United? Yes...To Bolton Wanderers? Surely Not

Some things just go together—fish and chips, Britain and rain, girls and long hair. But what about Miguel Veloso and Bolton Wanderers?

Sporting Lisbon’s 22-year-old defensive midfielder has been touted as a hot prospect for some time, with Manchester United apparently keeping an eye on him last summer.

Now, the Portuguese international is the subject of a reported £12 million bid offered by United’s far less glamorous neighbours, Bolton. But where are the big boys?

I don’t believe Veloso and Bolton go together. That is not meant to offend fans from the Reebok Stadium, but even the player has stated that he’ll hold out for a few more days with the hope of attracting the attention of a bigger club.

Would that be any of the other 19 Barclays Premier League sides, I wonder?

It just shows the appeal of the English league that a player of Veloso’s talent is prepared to drop a level (of club) just to get a shot at the Liverpools and Chelseas of this world.

In my opinion, the seven-times-capped midfielder wouldn’t look out of place in the starting lineup of any of the so-called Big Four, but it would be strange to see one of Europe’s greatest talents pulling on a Bolton shirt and knocking long balls up to Kevin Davies.

Veloso is tough and hard working, both very much Bolton traits. But on top of that he is a great football player and one who I think should stay at Sporting Lisbon—where he has regular European football, a place in the Portugal squad, and a terrific fanbase.

Maybe it is all a publicity stunt and Veloso has no intention of joining Bolton, but rather Liverpool or Manchester United, who Veloso’s advisers hope will be woken up by the travesty of this bid.

If he signs for Bolton then good luck to him, but I can’t help feeling it would be the wrong career move. Of course, if I were Bolton I’d be trying to sign him. £12 million would be money very well spent.

However, if I were a young Portuguese superstar, I’d put an end to all the speculation and settle down for fish and chips at a quiet street café in sunny Lisbon.