Wigan Athletic successfully navigated a tricky 2023/24 League One campaign, landing a top-half spot despite beginning the season eight points off the pace due to a deduction and being under a transfer embargo over the course of the last two windows.
But with the embargo lifted, the Latics can focus on the summer transfer window while fans will be hopeful for a 2024–2025 playoff run.
Latics manager Shaun Maloney will need to make changes to his team’s forward line in advance of the upcoming season due to the departures of Josh Magennis, Charlie Wyke, and Stephen Humphrys.
An ambitious swoop for Tottenham starlet and Middlesbrough loan target could be the answer for Latics
Humphrys, who led the Greater Manchester team in goals scored the previous season with nine, left after the 2023–24 League One season.
The Latics need a striker with a sharp eye for goal if they want to compete in the top six, and if Maloney’s team is willing to make a bold loan move, Spurs academy forward Will Lankshear might be the ideal candidate.
The 19-year-old’s firepower is an undeniable advantage, as he has scored 21 goals in 22 Premier League 2 games for Spurs this season. Additionally, his profile might fit the Latics’ philosophy.
Maloney has put a strong emphasis on young players at Brick Community Stadium, despite the transfer embargo playing a major role. Players like Charlie Hughes and Sam Tickle, two England youth internationals, have flourished under his direction. As a gifted young player, Lankshear could fit right into the Latics’ lineup.
But, as Football League World exclusively disclosed, Middlesbrough, a Championship team, is interested in signing the teenager on a loan, so this would be a very bold move for the North West team.
However, if the Latics are interested in a loan agreement, maybe Spurs will be persuaded by Wigan’s proven track record of developing young players.
In 2020, during the Greater Manchester side’s administration, the North London team signed Alfie Devine from the Latics. Despite recent upheaval, the team has managed to produce talented young players, as evidenced by the performances of Baba Adeeko, Hughes, and Tickle, who has all represented the Republic of Ireland at the under-21 level.
The Latics might be able to persuade Spurs to sign Lankshear because of their recent track record of supporting the development of Premier League talent through loan deals, even though it might be challenging to compete with Boro for his services. Michael Carrick and company would love to have a gifted forward to complement the already dangerous Emmanuel Latte Lath.
Latics could use Martial Godo and Luke Chambers success to their advantage
If the Latics do pursue an ambitious loan move for Lankshear, then they can point to Martial Godo and Luke Chambers as evidence that they are an ideal destination for up-and-coming Premier League talent.
Godo signed for the club on loan from Fulham, and the winger gained invaluable experience in League One as he showed off his dazzling dribbling skills, while scoring four goals and creating five assists in 34 third tier appearances and 25 starts.
The 21-year-old, who recently disclosed that he came to Wigan as a youngster and left as a man, was included in Maloney’s starting lineup when the Latics faced Manchester United in the FA Cup third round.
Liverpool’s Chambers, meanwhile, came to the Latics on loan in January. Maloney used Chambers as a left-wing-back in a back five, a left-sided center-half in a back three, and a left-back in a back four.
At the Brick Community Stadium, he showed off his class and demonstrated both his offensive and defensive skills. Against Portsmouth, the League One winners, he scored a goal and added three assists in 18 games.
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