Wigan Athletic aren’t “resigned” to selling any of their players despite reports suggesting Liverpool and Everton plan to raid the League One outfit, as reported by Wigan Today.
After securing their third-tier status for another season, the rebuilding project can now begin in earnest at Wigan.
There are new owners in place, those financial problems are hopefully a thing of the past, and the Latics are more confident than ever of hanging on to a talented crop of youngsters.
Earlier this week, The Chronicle reported Newcastle United and Celtic were pushing for the signature of Kyle Joseph, six months after the teenage striker shot to fame with a hat-trick against Burton Albion.
James Carragher meanwhile, son of Anfield legend Jamie, has been tipped to follow in his father’s footsteps at a Merseyside giant – although it’s Everton rather than their red-clad neighbours.
GiveMeSport adds Carragher Jr, like Joseph, has admirers north of the border with Steven Gerrard’s Rangers interested.
But, according to Wigan manager Leam Richardson, it’s far from certain Joseph, Carragher and co will exit the DW Stadium in the summer transfer window.
“I don’t think Wigan Athletic should be resigned to losing anybody now,” Richardson says. “We’ve been taken over by a fantastic ownership group, we have a fantastic stadium, fantastic training ground, fantastic fanbase.
“As someone charged with leading this club forward, we won’t be resigned to losing anybody.
“Obviously, if some people think their futures would be better served elsewhere, that’s up to them. That’s for another day. But, as far as I’m concerned, this club is only focused on moving forward and trying to get back to where we all know it should be.”
The fact Joseph is out of contract in July complicates things, however, with Wigan facing a race against time if they want to tie the 19-year-old down to a new deal.
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