AFC Wimbledon boss reacts to Bolton and Portsmouth transfer links to his players

AFC Wimbledon head coach Mark Robinson has dismissed reports that midfielder Anthony Hartigan has turned down a contract extension at Plough Lane and is poised to sign for Bolton Wanderers.

The 21-year-old midfielder has established himself as a mainstay in Robinson’s side and has featured in every game this season in League One apart from the 1-1 draw with Gillingham.

Hartigan, who joined the Dons at 14, signed a new deal in August 2020 that is set to expire at the end of this season.

“That’s news to me that he had turned anything down,” Robinson told the South London Press when asked whether Hartigan had rejected a contract extension. “As far as I know, there are positive chats ongoing.

“I’d like to think Anthony knows the development he went through as a youth team player, which got him into the first team, and he knows that perhaps after his form dropping away, there are reasons why he is playing the way he is now.

“I’m sure Anthony realises that, and he knows that this is a fantastic place for him to be playing his football.”

The report also claimed left-back Nesta Guinness-Walker, out of contract in the summer, has drawn attention from Danny Cowley’s Portsmouth ahead of the January transfer window.

The 22-year-old joined the Dons from Met Police in July 2019. He has scored three goals in 85 appearances.

Robinson has previously stated he wants to keep Guinness-Walker.

He said: “In my role as head coach, I don’t really get involved – I leave it to the panel. But all I state is how important I believe certain players are for us to continue to progress as a football club.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD