GET OUT: 2 players Wigan Athletic shown exit as club make final decision

Wigan Athletic have made a relatively strong start to their summer negotiations after signing Michael Olakigbe on loan from Brentford, as well as handing contract extensions to both Sam Tickle and Jason Kerr.

Latics supporters will hope that these deals can put the blocks in place for a successful summer transfer window at the Brick Community Stadium, but in addition to signing fresh talent as well as keeping the squad’s best assets at the club, the Greater Manchester outfit must also offload some players over the coming weeks and months.

FLW takes a look at two players Latics should look at sending out on loan this summer:

James Carragher

James Carragher is the son of Liverpool legend, Jamie, and is a Wigan academy product who made his initial first team appearances under former manager Leam Richardson during the 2021/22 season, with three outings in the EFL Trophy and one in the EFL Cup.

After making another run out for Latics in the EFL Cup during the following season, he joined National League outfit Oldham on loan in September 2022, but his spell at Boundary Park was cut short due to injury, and he only appeared five times in the fifth tier.

He has only been selected by current boss Shaun Maloney, which came in the EFL Trophy back in November, so he was loaned out to Scottish Championship side Inverness in January.

Carragher made 20 appearances in all competitions for the Scottish side, including a starting 11 place in the play-off final, but he seems unlikely to break into the Latics’ first team just yet.

The 21-year-old would struggle to become a first team regular ahead of either England youth international Charlie Hughes, who could stay at the Brick Community Stadium this summer despite Premier League interest due to his long-term contract, or Kerr, who recently renewed his terms with the club.

Carragher is a talented young defender, but Maloney should look at sending his man out on loan again, while he is seemingly unlikely to gain starting 11 opportunities amid strong competition.

At this point in Carragher’s career, it would be more beneficial for the starlet to gain regular playing time elsewhere.

Joe Adams

Joe Adams is also a Latics academy graduate who has enjoyed loan spells elsewhere after spending the second half of last campaign on loan at League Two side Morecambe.

The 20-year-old has never made a senior appearance for the Latics, and a further loan move following his spell with the Shrimps would be an ideal move.

Despite the departure of Liam Shaw, who has returned to parent club Celtic, the Latics still have the sort of strength in depth in midfield which could keep Adams away from the first-team picture.

Fellow academy graduate Scott Smith really worked his way into the fold last season, while homegrown talent Baba Adeeko was nearly ever-present, making 42 League One appearances.

Meanwhile, former Arsenal man Matt Smith is a class act in the middle of the park, who is absolutely integral to the way in which the Latics play possession-based football under Maloney’s stewardship.