Scottish Premiership champions Celtic want Wigan Athletic’s Nick Powell, as do Championship side Aston Villa and Premier League Brighton and Hove Albion.
Nick Powell has got his once-promising career back on track at Wigan Athletic.
And even though the one-time Manchester United wonder-kid is plying his trade in the third tier of English football right now, it seems he is more than content with life at the DW Stadium due to his status as Paul Cook’s undisputed talisman.
The Sun (18 March, page 60) reports that Powell is keen to sign a new deal at Wigan with his current contract set to expire in the summer of 2016. But, the report adds, there is a chance that the Latics may be forced to cash in on the 23-year-old this summer.
Wigan have been in talks with the Hong Kong based International Entertainment Company to sell the club since January, as reported by Sky Sports, but the takeover has not reached its conclusion just yet.
And the Sun reports that Wigan’s current owner Dave Whelan would face a financial loss if he cannot sell the club to IEC – meaning they could be forced to accept £5 million for Powell in order to balance the books.
So Celtic, who are keeping a close eye on the situation, will surely be hoping that Wigan do not find themselves under new ownership before the end of the season.
The Scottish champions, as well as Aston Villa and Brighton, are keen on Powell, who has scored 12 goals in League One for Wigan this season.
Celtic have stagnated of late and stuttered to a goalless draw with Motherwell at the weekend, with a lack of creativity from central midfield clear to see. Making Powell one of the most expensive players in their history could go some way to revitalising the attack.
Villa, however, will be relying on promotion to fund a £5 million bid for Powell with Financial Fair Play breathing down their neck.
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