Ball is currently with Glasgow Rangers but the Scottish side are keen to offload the Liverpudlian as they cannot afford to pay the appearance based installments which were agreed as part of the £6.5 million move to Ibrox three years ago and this has apparently alerted the Trotters manager Sam Allardyce who could take the 24-year old on a possible loan deal as he looks to replace the recently departed Simon Charlton, who joined Norwich City.
Gers boss Alex McLeish outlined the harsh realities of the financial situation at Ibrox and states that his eagerness to get rid of Ball is nothing personal towards the player.
"I've spoken to Michael and said it is nothing personal, it's just a sad fact of football at the moment.
"There is an extra payment to be made when he plays a certain amount of games and, at the moment, we can't afford to do that. Could I play him? Yes. He still has a few games to go before there is a payment to be made."
"It's frustrating of course but I've always been aware of the parameters."
"And it's important everyone knows the situation with Michael because it has been a grey area."
McLeish has already had to offload a number of stars with the latest being Australian international Craig Moore who looks set to return south with Wanderers local rivals Blackburn Rovers after a fee was agreed between the two clubs for the left sided defender, Ball could be the next in line whether it be a move to Bolton or elsewhere.
Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce has already recruited Julio Cesar, Radhi Jaidi and Fernando Hierro to his defensive ranks but is keen to add to that even further and Ball could fit the bill providing he takes a slight wage cut.