Bolton are set to lose record signing Johan Elmander to Galatasaray on a free transfer after the Turkish club announced that they had an agreement in principle with the Swedish star. The Trotters purchased Elmander for a club record £11m from French club Toulouse FC in 2008 on a three year deal but dilly dallied on offering him a new contract after his poor performances in his first two seasons at the Reebok.

Elmander however flourished in his last season under Owen Coyle, and scored some excellent goals, including a stunning solo effort against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Coyle however has refuted allegations saying that Bolton had missed a trick by allowing their record signing to leave on a free. This is what Coyle had to say regarding Elmander’s transfer.

“You can understand from the club’s point of view that, prior to this season, they were not in a hurry to offer Johan the equivalent of what he is on now.

“Coming into the club, he was on a fantastic wage. That put the club in a difficult position. But when he comes in and hits form for us, like he did this season, he is in the last year of his contract and is in a strong bargaining position. That is the nature of football.

“The chairman has spoken to him a couple of times and never got great encouragement.

“We were told they would revisit it in the summer. That told us everything we needed to know.”

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Elmander is expected to play his last game for Bolton against Manchester City on Sunday ( May 22, 2011) before jetting off to Turkey and joining new Gala coach Fatih Terim. Terim has also decided to acquire Elmander’s Swedish compatriot Kim Kallstrom.