Shaun Maloney’s side look set for a summer of sensible business due to owner Mike Danson’s sustainability ethos following the club’s turbulent spells under the financial mismanagement of the last two ownership groups.
On Friday 10th March, the club announced its retained list which will give supporters a clearer idea of which areas of the pitch the Latics may strengthen over the course of the summer.
The Latics also announced that club captain Josh Magennis, former Bradford City forward Charlie Wyke, Stephen Humphrys, Tom Pearce and shot-stopper Ben Amos are leaving the Brick Community Stadium following the expiration of their respective contracts.
Luke Chambers, Martial Godo, Charlie Goode, Charlie Kelman, Liam Morrison, Liam Shaw, and Kell Watts, who were all on loan, are all going back to their parent clubs in the meanwhile.
These moves would be the ideal way to kick off the summer transfer market, as the club has resolved most of its internal contract negotiations:
In: Marvin Ekpiteta
Blackpool recently released defender Marvin Ekpiteta, who might be a fantastic acquisition to the Latics, since his contract at Bloomfield Road came to an end.
With Goode, Morrison, and Watts leaving on loan, the Greater Manchester team needs a new centre defender, and Maloney’s young team would benefit greatly from his experience.
In addition, Charlie Hughes, a promising young player for the Latics, has drawn interest from Ipswich Town and West Ham for a transfer after performing so well in Latics uniform that he was awarded caps for the England Men’s Elite team (previously the under 20s).
In the event that Hughes leaves Wigan this summer, signing a quality defender such as Ekpiteta would become even more necessary for Maloney, while his strong pass accuracy could make him an ideal centre-half for a side who play out from the back.
Out: Joe Adams
Joe Adams, a graduate of the Latics academy, hasn’t played for the Greater Manchester team yet, but he showed promise when on loan at League Two Morecambe in the second half of the 2023–2024 season, making 21 appearances and 17 starts while scoring two goals for the Shrimps.
The Latics will want to retain Adams in the long run given his talent at 19, but right now, a second loan stint during the 2024–2025 campaign could be preferable for his development.The presence of former Arsenal player Matt Smith, as well as academy graduates Scott Smith and Baba Adeeko, gives Maloney’s team strength in centre midfield.
Adams should play as much first team football as possible at this stage of his career, so a season-long loan spell following an impressive six-month run with the Shrimps would be the best option for the teenager.
