Bolton Wanderers say they are still hopeful of signing Gillingham captain Kyle Dempsey today.

Fellow League 1 side Bolton are keen to snap up Gillingham's captain after insisting they have made a “fair offer.”

• Harris in the frame as wait goes on

Wanderers manager Ian Evatt has been open about his pursuit of Dempsey, with the club reportedly offering Gillingham £150,000 plus add-ons. It’s a chase Bolton are willing to take right to the wire as the deadline for new signings closes at the end of the day.

Evatt told the local press on Monday morning that “we could be in for a long one,” as they continue to wait for the Gills over a decision.

He added: “We still haven’t got anything agreed but we will see what happens. I am a glass half-full kind of guy, so I am very hopeful. Not expectant.”

Bolton have already been busy on the transfer front and Evatt is getting rewards. They thrashed title-chasing Sunderland 6-0 on Saturday, leading to the Black Cats manager getting sacked while in third place.

Evatt will hope Dempsey can add even more energy to his team, saying: “One thing we have added this month is energy…Kyle would bring us that, assuming it happens, he has energy, good technical ability and an understanding of this level.

“He is a young player coming into his prime years at 26 and hopefully we see some benefit.

“But there is lots of work to be done today and we are hopeful it gets over the line.

“We have targeted and highlighted Kyle, took a lot of time on him. We feel that we have made a fair offer and we will see how that develops.

“We have made our best possible offer and one we feel is more than fair. To re-emphasise, we are being strategic and smart and if that fee becomes exaggerated we will walk away.”

Since those comments the Gills have announced the appointment of Neil Harris as their new manager and he will have a say in their transfer dealings.