Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield Wednesday are currently in talks over 18-year-old full-back Hayden White.
Wanderers are seeking to avoid a tribunal determining the fee that they will have to pay to the Owls after the youngster elected to turn down a professional deal at Hillsborough in favour of a move to the Reebok.
If a compromise cannot be reached, then an independent tribunal will set the amount, although reports in suggest that the fee is unlikely to reach six figures.
A similar discussion is also in the pipeline with Millwall over striker Conor Wilkinson who has also been recruited at the end of his apprenticeship.
Dougie Freedman has made complimentary noises about both players, telling The Bolton News last month that he was looking forward to working with them.
“I’ve been aware of them both for a while,” said Freedman.
“I feel like we have taken advantage of a situation to get two exciting young players on board.
“I’m trying to build a good all-round squad. Younger players are going to get opportunities here if they work hard, and I have brought these two here in the full knowledge of that.
“If they work hard, listen, and improve their game, they will get their chance. That’s the way I like to work. But this isn’t just a case of bringing them in to put them straight into a development squad.”
White originally committed to sign a new deal with Wednesday and his change of heart has baffled Lee Bullen, the club’s Under 21s boss and manager Dave Jones.
Bullen, who captained Sheffield Wednesday to their 2005 League One play-off final victory over Hartlepool United, tweeted: “Players move on; it’s disappointing.
“But it’s time to focus on what we have, not what we had. The player was offered a pro contract; he discussed it with his agent and decided not to sign. Was it the right move? Time will tell.”
Owls boss Dave Jones also voiced his frustration confirming the club had tried hard to keep hold of the Academy graduate who was converted from a winger into an attacking right-back.
“We made Hayden a good offer for this football club. Bolton came in for him. He is entitled to go. He feels his future is with them.
“If the kid wants to go, that’s his choice. I don’t understand it but it’s his decision. We move on.”
