WANDERERS have negotiated an advanced payment from Arsenal for Rob Holding.

The home-grown defender joined the Gunners in summer 2016 in a £2.5million deal which could rise to £5million, depending on bonuses.

The Bolton News understands an approach was made by Bolton to the Premier League club last month to ask if an appearance-based fee could be paid ahead of schedule to help with cash-flow.

Wanderers have now confirmed the situation, a spokesman adding it was made possible because of the “excellent working relationship” between the two clubs.

Sources in North London also claim the Whites have settled for a slight reduction in the fee to facilitate the early payment.

A bonus was triggered soon after centre-half Holding, now 22, moved to Arsenal when Gareth Southgate picked him for the England Under-21s at the Toulon Tournament in France and Euro Championships in Poland.

He currently has 12 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners - including last season’s FA Cup final win over Chelsea - and scored his first goal in the 4-2 Champions League win over BATE Borisov in September.

Tameside-born Holding has been heavily-tipped to become a first team regular at the Emirates in the next few years and bonuses are also in place if he makes the step up to senior international level.

He left Wanderers after just one full season in the senior set-up and 30 appearances but had been in Bolton’s academy system from the age of seven.

Meanwhile, Wanderers are reporting no new injury problems as they gear up for Friday night’s clash at Preston North End.

The same cannot be said for their opponents, however, with Alex Neil’s side currently missing 10 first team regulars, with the back four particularly affected.

“Every player in the back four almost has either been injured or suspended at some stage, it is very rare,” added the Scot.