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Arsenal 'close in on transfer of Bolton defender Rob Holding'

Rob Holding of Bolton
Image: Rob Holding made 30 appearances for Bolton last season and was named player of the year

Arsenal are closing in on the transfer of Bolton's England Under-21 defender Rob Holding, according to the Press Association.

The 20-year-old reportedly travelled to London on Monday for a medical and to finalise personal terms after a bid in the region of £2m was accepted by Wanderers.

Holding has been with Bolton since the age of seven and made his senior debut in a Capital One Cup tie against Burton Albion last August.

Capable of playing at either centre-back or full-back, Holding made 30 appearances last season and was named the club's player of the year in a campaign which ended in relegation to Sky Bet League One.

BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - MAY 16:  Rob Holding of England U21 during the England U21 Training Session and Press Conference at St Georges Park on May 16,
Image: Holding was called up to the England Under-21 squad at the end of last season

He was called up to Gareth Southgate's England Under-21 squad at the end of the season and was part of the successful side at the Toulon Tournament in France.

News of serious interest in Holding first emerged towards the end of last term and then-interim Wanderers boss Jimmy Phillips was instructed to leave him out of the team to face Fulham on the last day of the season.

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"I was asked by the board of directors not to play him," Phillips told The Bolton News back in May.

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"It would appear some clubs are interested in him somewhere down the line."

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