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Denilson trial is win-win for Bolton

Ross Heppenstall,Pa
Thursday 08 January 2009 11:44 GMT
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(GETTY IMAGES)

Bolton manager Gary Megson today insisted he has nothing to lose by taking former Brazil superstar Denilson on trial.

Denilson, who became the world's most expensive player when he moved to Real Betis from Sao Paulo in 1998 for £21.5m, will spend a week training with the Trotters in the hope of securing a contract.

The 31-year-old is a free agent after being released by Palmeiras earlier this month and has been looking for a club in Europe to reignite his career.

Megson said: "An agent called one of our staff up and asked if we would like to look at Denilson.

"It doesn't cost us anything and it's an opportunity for the lad and an opportunity for ourselves to see one of the world's best players - albeit of a few years ago - and see how he is now.

"He won the World Cup and was part of a fantastic team but it's about the here and now.

"It's purely and simply about him coming here for us to have a look at him and for him to try and get a contract."

Megson could sign West Ham defender Calum Davenport, 26, in a £3m transfer but admitted he is also pursuing other targets.

The Trotters have also been linked with a move for Zenit St Petersburg centre-back Sebastien Puygrenier in a loan deal with a view to a permanent transfer.

Megson would only comment on Davenport, saying: "We've got an agreement with West Ham but we're also looking at other players in that position.

"We've also got another player that we're close to coming to an agreement with, so it's decision time.

"We may get accused of messing somebody about but we've got to do what's right for the football club.

"It still may happen that Calum joins Bolton but we'll need another 24 hours before we decide what we're going to do."

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