Bolton Wanderers' bid for Standard Liege midfielder Axel Witsel has fallen short.

The Daily Mail says sources at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne claim Bolton have enquired about Witsel's availability, and indicated a willingness to pay 7.5million euros (£6.11m), following interest from a host of Barclays Premier League clubs, headed by Manchester City, Middlesbrough and Arsenal.

Manager Gary Megson may have to start looking elsewhere for January transfer targets, though, after the Belgian champions made it clear they would only consider allowing him to leave for a fee approaching the £15million Everton paid for Marouane Fellaini.