Bolton Wanderers, fourth placed in the English Premier League were yesterday said to be leading the case for the signature of Maltese international striker Michael Mifsud, who is not renewing his contract with Lillestrom of Norway.

The News of the World said yesterday that “Bolton lead a posse of Premiership clubs who have checked on Lillestrom striker Michael Mifsud. The Maltese international, 25, has also been watched recently by Reading, Watford and Sheffield United. Championship sides Coventry – who have a long-standing interest – Crystal Palace and Norwich are also keen.”

On Saturday, however, the Daily Star reported that Mifsud’s transfer to another Premiership club Sheffield United – was only a question of a few hours. The newspaper also reported that the English club had agreed a fee of £700,000 (around Lm410,000).

The Malta striker, a product of Sliema Wanderers, has had a bright season but had left his mark in a very impressive performance for Lillestrom against Newcastle in an early season UEFA Cup match in summer at St James Park.

Apart from scoring several goals in the Norwegian League – this season he was Lillestrom top scorer with 11 goals – Mifsud also performed excellently for Malta in the recent European Championship 2008 qualifier at Ta’ Qali against Hungary which ended in a historic and deserved 2-1 win for Malta.

Although being thwarted from scoring by the Hungarian goalie on at least three occasions and also missing some good chances himself, Mifsud had been voted as the Man of the Match, also receiving a mention from the Hungarian coach in a post-match press conference.

Mifsud had started his career at Sliema. Later he had also played in the Bundesliga for Kaiserslautern before returning to Malta. After a few months, however, he moved to Lillestrom.

The striker has won 43 caps for Malta and has scored 12 goals. He is considered as the most interesting striker produced by Maltese football in recent years.

The former Sliema striker had to arrive in Malta last night to join the national squad to prepare for Wednesday’s friendly against Lithuania at the Hibs Ground.