Cash-strapped Wigan Athletic could be raided by Championship rivals Leeds United and Middlesbrough, with The Mail reporting that Sean McGurk, Joe Gelhardt and Kieffer Moore are all in high demand.
In an alternative universe somewhere, the Latics are toasting a comfortable mid-table finish after a remarkable run of results in 2020 – including that club-record 8-0 thrashing of Hull City of course.
But, with the EFL confirming that Wigan will be hit with a 12-point deduction after entering administration, there will be no fireworks lighting up the skies in Greater Manchester just yet.
The 2013 FA Cup winners could still be relegated into League One on Wednesday and, even if they survive the drop, it seems that Paul Cook and co will be powerless to prevent the departures of some of their prized assets.
The Mail reports that Welsh international targetman Moore is a target for Neil Warnock’s Middlesbrough, although Queens Park Rangers are at the front of the queue having had a bid of just over £2 million bid accepted.
Premier League-bound Leeds, meanwhile, are allegedly looking to raid the DW Stadium for two highly-rated youngsters.
Teen sensation Gelhardt held a meeting with the Championship champions on Monday after catching the eye with some explosive performances since breaking into the Wigan first-team.
“He’s Wayne Rooney-esque, Gelhardt,” former Charlton and Huddersfield boss Chris Powell told the EFL on Quest (21 September, 9:00pm). “He’s got a lot of talent.”
Gelhardt is not the only Wigan starlet on Leeds’ radar, however.
The Mail adds that exciting attacker Sean McGurk is a target for not only Marcelo Bielsa’s Yorshire giants but Tottenham Hotspur too.
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