Bolton manager Sammy Lee admits he may not be able to prevent El Hadji Diouf and Nicolas Anelka leaving the club.
Diouf, 26, has said he wants to leave the club to join a team playing in the Champions League while fellow striker Anelka, 29, has been linked with Lyon and a return to Manchester City.
“It’s a concern and it might be out of my hands but at the moment it is only speculation,” said Lee.
“We want to keep our better players but – as I’ve said before – if people want to go sometimes you can’t stop them.”
Bolton are currently bottom of the Premier League after losing their opening three games of the season and their poor start has prompted speculation that Diouf and Anelka could leave before the transfer window closes on 31 August.
“I certainly don’t want them to go and certain people have had ‘previous’ at being at football clubs and wanting to leave,” Lee added.
“It’s not just Bolton Wanderers – there is a trend – but obviously we would like to keep our best players.”
