Wigan Athletic 2024/25 Sensible Transfers – Strikers

Wigan Athletic have a huge summer ahead. After years of financial mismanagement we finally find ourselves in a stable position, from which we can build a squad capable of challenging at the top end of League One while also securing the financial future of the club.

A clear and aggressive recruitment philosophy has been implemented by Sporting Director, Gregor Rioch and Manager, Shaun Maloney. There is an emphasis on targeting younger players who have high potential, both in terms of their ability on the pitch and the money they could bring in for the club if sold on later down the line.

This has made writing this summer’s Sensible Transfers article so much more enjoyable, because I know we’re so much more likely to sign – what I would call – the right kind of player. I’ve been desperate for us to adopt this kind of recruitment policy for a while now, so this summer is going to be really exciting.

Across seven articles I will be putting forward several targets across a number of key positions that I believe would be excellent signings for Latics this summer. The scenarios and permutations of what might happen will be taken from my recent squad review articles, as well as the club’s recently released retained list.

If you haven’t already I would highly recommend you checking all of those articles out. Think of them as a ‘preview’ to these Sensible Transfers articles, as they have set the framework for the financial and positional criteria my potential targets have to fit within.

Finally, when all seven Sensible Transfers have been released there will be an additional article with an updated multi-scenario, forecasted squad depth chart alongside the rough finances involved.

Now then… let’s get cracking shall we?

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Current Options

Josh Stones // 20-years-old // £600 p/w

This is going to be a really interesting season for Josh Stones, and he could genuinely start it as first, second or third choice, or maybe even out on loan. I want him to stay at the club for sure and I’m sure he will do, but the question is how far up the pecking order?

Importantly we have to add new profiles to our front line. Josh Stones is what I would describe as a Complete Forward, who can link the play nicely as well as finish chances off. That’s a tough profile to fill so the fact he does so is great news. It leaves us needing a Target Forward and a Poacher, based on the squad set-up graphic I put in my recently released Retained List Reaction article.

Budget

The exits of Charlie Wyke, Josh Magennis, Stephen Humphrys and Charlie Kelman free up a lot of money from our wage bill. The reported figure is £27,000 p/w that those four received combined, which for reference is just £3,000 p/w less than our entire squad is currently on at the time of writing. It’s been one hell of a clear out.

I can see us trying to loan in a striker this summer, but we probably won’t be able to guarantee them first team football week in week out which may be a stumbling block. My assumption is the plan will be to recruit free agents and loans where possible, but if the right option comes available some of the money made from the expected sales of other players could well go towards a quality number nine. It all depends how much faith is put in Josh Stones though.

Criteria

I want one forward capable of playing as a Target Man; a big, physically strong striker who can make the ball stick when it’s played into him and bring others into the game with link up play. Equally they have to be a goal threat, be that from crosses into the box should we take a more direct approach in games, or as a genuine penalty box predator. The biggest criticisms I had of Charlie Wyke and Josh Magennis is they were too one-dimensional, too set in their ways as target men and not able to play the way Shaun Maloney wants. They have to offer a threat in behind, but primarily they need to be quick, strong and capable of being our team’s focal point.

Then I want a Poacher type forward; an out and out goal scorer who can sniff a chance out from anywhere and is clinical in front of goal. They need to be extremely hard-working out of possession too, capable of leading the team’s press and willing to put the hard yards in against the ball. That work-rate and ability to panic defenders needs to be tied in with a poacher’s instinct, and it’s absolutely vital that the player we sign for this role is a natural finisher. This is the Will Grigg replacement we never found…

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Target Forward

Option One – Gassan Ahadme (23-years-old)

Wigan Athletic haven’t had a striker like Gassan Ahadme since Kieffer Moore, and it’s about time we replaced the Wales international. The Spanish-born striker had a very solid season on loan at Cambridge United last season, and technically is a Premier League player now after his parent club Ipswich Town won promotion. As a result I’m expecting him to leave this summer, and any club looking for a well-rounded target man should be in for the 23-year-old. He’s 6’2″ and is a very powerful forward, especially in the air, which I like. Not only is he a unit, Ahadme also has good ball skills and finishes really well from inside the penalty area. He gave Charlie Hughes one of his hardest games last season, and will only get better with more game time and experience.

Latics need a physically dominant striker and there aren’t many more complete forwards that will be available this summer. He could easily play a first choice role, but probably wouldn’t mind being rotated in and out of the team too given a slightly patchy injury record.

Option Two – Samson Tovide (20-years-old)

Samson Tovide has the potential to become a really good EFL goal scorer, but he needs to find consistency when it comes to form and fitness. He’s got a near-complete physical profile, with pace, strength, agility and a very impressive jump on him that allows him to be very competitive in the air. The fact that he’s only 20-years-old means there’s room for improvement too, and that should mainly be focused on making him more robust against injuries. In terms of his technical and tactical attributes there is a very solid base to work from, albeit both need development before he’s good enough to lead the line regularly in League One. He’s left-footed which I really like as it adds a variety to our forward line and opens up different shooting angles.

Colchester may want to keep a hold of their young starlet, but equally may choose to cash in to fund other areas of their squad. Latics need a forward in this profile, and if there’s some money lying around he’d be a good player to spend it on.

Option Three – Michael Mellon (20-years-old)

I really wanted us to sign Michael Mellon in January, but unfortunately he moved to Dundee temporarily and struggled to make an impact. The Burnley youngster is a really talented forward who, in my opinion, is probably the most complete forward on this list. He’s 6’1″ and has the frame to hold off defenders, although I wouldn’t say he’s particularly strong in the same way others on this list are. He’s quick though and really threatens the opposition in behind which I like, while also having the ability to drop in and link play really nicely. His goal scoring instincts are clear for all to see too, and finishes confidently with both feet from inside and outside the box. He’s great, and should be looking for a move to League One this summer.

Burnley will want to give him game time as he enters the last year of his contract, and I’m sure he wants to play with the view of securing his future next summer. Latics should be all over someone like this, as it fits so many of our ideals and requirements.

Option Four – Mo Faal (21-years-old)

Mo Faal’s career trajectory has been quite something, and he may well be making another step up this summer. He started the 2023/24 season on loan at Doncaster Rovers where he scored nine goals in a reasonably successful spell, before netting six goals in twenty games at Walsall after January. This pick maybe isn’t the most data-driven one I’ll make, but instead one based purely on what Faal does well. It’s almost exactly in line with what I want from a striker. He’s quick, strong, tall, is intelligent with his runs and positioning and can score all kinds of goals from all kinds of situations. He also works tirelessly out of possession. The reason he isn’t higher up this list is because it’s not often he puts it all together, and can be prone to off-days where he really struggles to be impactful at all. That lack of consistency is his biggest limiation.

As a cheap loan move this could work well, especially if he’s mainly used as an impact substitute. I really like Faal and his skillset, but do wonder if he’s the signing to make when we already have a youngster who we’re trying to drill consistency into in Josh Stones.

Option Five – Tyreece Simpson (22-years-old)

As physically imposing number nines go I’m struggling to find one more impressive than Tyreece Simpson. Never mind a truck, the bloke is built like a multi-story car park and is extremely hard to handle in duels. As a result he’s very capable of playing the lone striker role, and regularly occupies two defenders at once due to his size and strength. This creates space for teammates, and with a bit of fine tuning Simpson will be able to make much more use of that. His technical attributes are a little raw, but he’s good at playing with his back to goal which I like. Also when the ball is at his feet he can move with it well, using the old-school ‘ball roll’ to great effect a lot. He’s not overly reliable in front of goal, but that’s the part of his game that’s probably easiest to improve.

He’s maybe not the complete package and with a loan move being the most realistic option I’m unsure we’d go for him, but players like this can be worth their weight in gold if used correctly. Anomalies are valuable, and from a physical perspective that’s exactly what Simpson is.

Option Six – Dan Udoh (27-years-old)

The more experienced suggestion I’ve gone for as a Target Man is Shrewsbury Town’s Dan Udoh, who looks set to leave Salop this summer at the end of his contract. He netted ten goals in 40 games last season, decent numbers considering he was playing in a side who found creating chances painfully difficult. Despite that lack of creativity Udoh proved himself as a forward who can forge his own opportunities out of very little, as well as get on the end of deliveries into the box when they come. He anticipates moments well and is quick and strong enough to get to the ball first more often than not. I really like his hold up play too. It’s probably what he’s best at, and for those of you who have seen the Romelu Lukaku X Jamie Carragher finishing video, Udoh regularly tries and pulls off similar moves. He’s a really solid EFL number nine.

I could definitely see us making a move for Udoh. He’d cost nothing, wouldn’t command a large wage or demand to play 46 games, and brings the necessary quality and experience that our striking options need.

Notable Mentions

Will Evans // 26-years-old // Newport County (£200k – £300k)

Freddie Ladapo // 31-years-old // Ipswich Town (£0-£50k)

John Marquis // 32-years-old // Free Agent (Formerly of Bristol Rovers)

Francis Okoronkwo // 19-years-old // Everton (Loan)

Sam Cosgrove // 27-years-old // Barnsley (£100k – £200k)

Poacher

Option One– Jake Young (22-years-old)

Jake Young was the most in-form striker in the EFL for the majority of the first half of the season, but his stock has fallen due to an injury-hit few months after he returned to Bradford. The fact there’s not as much hype around him anymore is something clubs should use to their advantage because he’s still great, and still only 22-years-old. Young is a striker capable of scoring all types of goals, and that’s a quality aided by his wonderful composure in the penalty area. His understanding of space is top drawer, always looking for that little half-a-yard to get an advantage over his marker. His footballing intelligence is great and he strikes me as someone who really studies the game. If not he’s just naturally very gifted… lucky sod!

Bradford may well want to keep him, but for me he’s a League One player and should want to move up a division. With his contract expiring they may sell on the cheap, and if there’s money to spend he’d be high on my shortlist across all positions.

Option Two – Lee Bonis (24-years-old)

Lee Bonis has been linked with a move to the EFL in every transfer window for the last few years, and I’m sure this summer the same will be the case again. He absolutely deserves the chance to play at a higher level because he’s outgrown the Northern Irish Premiership, and for want of a better expression is finding things too easy there. He’s brilliant in front of goal, and is capable of scoring any type of goal which I really like. Again, he’s probably someone that could be classed as a Complete Forward as his link-up play and physical attributes are really solid, but unquestionably he excels as a penalty box striker tasked with scoring goals and nothing else. He’s high on confidence and that’s key for a striker. Yes the level is a step up, but the size of the goal doesn’t change, and Bonis knows how to find it.

If the rumours are to be believed there will be plenty of EFL interest in the Northern Irishman this summer, and as a result he may cost a premium. There’s no denying that he’s a top player who will improve, but may end up being out of our price range.

Option Three – Nathan Fraser (19-years-old)

The injury issues Wolves had last season were detrimental, but every cloud has a silver lining and they seem to have discovered a new striking talent from their academy. Nathan Fraser was being labelled as the ‘new Steve Bull’ after debut goals in the EFL and FA Cup, and while his opportunities became limited towards the end of the season there’s no denying his talent. His game intelligence for someone so young is top drawer and he regularly makes intelligent runs, or drops into good areas to receive the ball. When he gets it his natural instinct is to play forward, and as a result his link-up play isn’t much to shout about. That’s not an issue for a poacher though, and when you put him in front of goal he’s clinical. That’s the kind of striker we need. They win you games.

Nathan needs game time, and League One feels like the perfect level. He has family from the north west, it wouldn’t be an expensive deal to do and there’s plenty to gain from all parties. He’ll definitely play in League One next year, the question is for who?

Option Four – Ruel Sortoriou (23-years-old)

Ruel Sortoriou can probably count himself unlucky not to have been included in my Attacking Midfielders article (Yes I know, I bet he’s gutted), but he’s on the list here. I like him a lot, especially up front where he can use his excellent technical attributes to good affect both in between the lines and in behind the opposition defence. Most importantly, especially as a ‘poacher’ type forward he has a knack of getting a goal out of nothing, be that creating it himself with his quick feet and exciting dribbling ability, or through sheer willpower to sniff a chance out in and around the penalty area. He underperformed his xG last year which shows that there is work to be done in terms of that composure in front of goal, but at 23-years-old that’s totally understandable.

He’s in talks with Orient about a contract extension, but we could definitely try and tempt him with a move. Versatile, exciting and talented with room to develop, the Cypriot would be a great signing.

Option Five – Tom Bradshaw (31-years-old)

I spoke earlier about natural goal scorers, and I think it’s fair to say that Tom Bradshaw has proven himself as one throughout his career. The Welshman has scored goals at all of his clubs, most notably Walsall during our battles with them in the 2015/16 season, and Millwall, where he’s racked up over 40 goals in the Championship. He’s a real penalty box striker, one that always seems to be where the ball drops. Think of your EFL striker stalwarts like Billy Sharp, Jordan Rhodes and well, Will Grigg; Bradshaw isn’t quite that notoriously clinical, but he’s in a similar mould for sure. We need a bit of experience in the squad and I love the idea of having someone with his knowhow in the squad to bring on whenever we need a goal.

His wage might be high, and that’s definitely a problem given his age and the fact he wouldn’t join as a definite first choice. However, if both sides can make it work it’d be a great signing for sure. He still has a lot to offer at League One level.

Option Six – Shayne Lavery (25-years-old)

Blackpool’s retained list offered up a number of interesting options, and I’ve already covered a few. Shayne Lavery is another player released by The Tangerines who should have no trouble finding a move into League One, and Latics could be a really good fit. The Northern Irishman is an energetic centre forward, tireless in his work against the ball and exciting and lively with it. I’d say he’s best alongside another striker, and in truth that’s why he’s not higher up this list as the fit isn’t perfect, but he does have what it takes to become a lone striker. There’s pace there, and as a last-line threat he can cause chaos, but his link-up play is nothing special and I wouldn’t fancy him against low-blocks or sides that play a back three. As an option off the bench when we need a goal, or against sides who play high lines though he’d be a hell of an asset.

It works from a financial perspective, and he’s local to the north west after his time at Blackpool. There’s a lot to like about Lavery, but I reckon he’ll go to a side like Stevenage or Wycombe Wanderers. He fits *that* kind of team better in my opinion.

Notable Mentions

Danny Ormerod // 17-years-old // AFC Fylde (£50k – £150k)

Ben Waine // 22-years-old // Plymouth Argyle (Loan)

Matthew Shevlin // 25-years-old // Coleraine (£50k – £150k)

Callum Marshall // 19-years-old // West Ham United (Loan)

Tyreece John-Jules // 23-years-old // Arsenal (OOC: 30/06/2024)

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Conclusion

Latics need new strikers this summer, and the key is getting the right blend. Last season we had Charlie Wyke and Josh Magennis for the first half of the season, and ended up using Thelo Aasgaard, a number ten, as a false nine because neither fitted our system. Then after the January window we had Magennis and new signing Charlie Kelman, and again neither managed to nail down a regular starting spot because, in my opinion, neither suited Shaun Maloney’s style of play.

For me the number one striker target should be Gassan Ahadme, who offers a variety of different and important qualities that our current squad doesn’t have. Josh Stones is great, but he needs the help of a more physical striker like the former Cambridge forward. We also need a poacher, and in an ideal world I’d be paying Bradford the fee they want for Jake Young. He’s a quality centre forward who has a number of attributes that are desirable, and shouldn’t be too expensive. Again though, as has so often been the case in these articles I’m suggesting some form of experience to be brought in so players like Dan Udoh and Tom Bradshaw are both interesting options that would improve our squad.

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Scenario One

The position is made high priority, a good amount of money is made available for transfer fees, and two players are recruited for the position on less than £8,000 p/w combined

Scenario Two

The position is made medium priority, some money is made available for transfer fees for one player, but two are recruited for the position on less than £8,000 p/w combined

Scenario Three

The position is made low priority, no money is made available for transfer fees, and two players are recruited for the position on less than £8,000 p/w combined

Final Thoughts

Fair play if you have made it here! No one really knows what is going to happen at Latics this summer, but one thing that feels certain is that finances and sales will heavily dictate what unfolds in the coming months.

With Shaun Maloney and Gregor Rioch leading some smart recruitment, whatever financial deficit has to be covered this transfer window, if we go about things smartly, we can still be a competitive outfit on the pitch and push on from last season.

I have full faith we will do the right things as a club, and we are lucky to have the talented coaching staff in place who want to be at Wigan Athletic. Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed. Up the Tics!