Brighton and Hove Albion’s Christian Walton has been linked with Derby County, Stoke City and Wigan Athletic.
Brighton and Hove Albion goalkeeper Christian Walton has told the Wigan Post he would welcome a return to Wigan Athletic despite reported interest from fellow Championship clubs Derby County and Stoke City.
“Yeah of course, having been here here for two years I’m settled at the club. I feel at home, it feels like I’ve been here for years,” Walton responded when asked of a potential return to Wigan next season.
“It’s just a case of seeing over the summer what happens at Brighton first of all. I’m due to report back there for pre-season and we’ll take it from there.”
Walton spent his second season at Wigan, joining the Lancashire club on loan from Brighton. He has become a popular figure at the DW Stadium, and his impressive performances have caught the attentions elsewhere.
According to a report in the Sun last month (print edition; page 61, April 7, 2019), both Derby County and Stoke City are keen on the goalkeeper who is rated at £4 million by parent club Brighton.
Derby are likely to be on the lookout for a new shot-stopper this summer. Current number one Kelle Roos is out of contract, while Scott Carson has recently been linked with a move to Burnley (the Sun, 13 May, page 59).
Stoke, meanwhile, have reason to rival the Rams for Walton as number one Jack Butland is also heavily linked with a move to the Premier League. According to the Telegraph, the Potters’ England international is attracting interest from both Crystal Palace and Bournemouth.
Walton, 23, has a contract at Brighton until 2021. While the Seagulls have no rush to sell the shot-stopper, they are already stocked in the goalkeeping department with Mat Ryan and David Button both capable.
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