"£3.5m-£4m" - Sam Tickle exit fear raised at Wigan Athletic | OneFootball

FLW's Wigan Athletic fan pundit has given his verdict on Sam Tickle's future heading into the summer transfer window

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Sam Tickle’s future at Wigan Athletic could be the subject of intense speculation this summer.

It was reported in January by Football Insider that Preston North End had seen a bid rejected for the goalkeeper, hinting at interest in the player from a Championship level.

The shot-stopper has been a key figure for the Latics for the last two seasons, having come through the academy system.

But a 15th place finish in the table has ensured that Wigan will remain in League One for another season.

Sam Tickle transfer claim

When asked whether the club will be able to keep hold of Tickle this summer, FLW’s Wigan fan pundit Corey Bissell claimed that a permanent sale is likely.

He named Owen Goodman and Joe Whitworth as potential replacements that could come in, as the time is now right for the League One side to cash in on the 22-year-old.

“Gut feeling, I don’t think we’ll keep Sam Tickle,” Bissell told Football League World.

“I think that’s exactly right, I think the offers that we’ll get from a Championship team, likely, are going to be too good to turn down.

“I think, realistically, in League One, having a goalkeeper that’s worth £3.5m-£4m is stupid to keep hold of them, really.

“You could easily, in my opinion, sell Sam Tickle for £3.5m-£4m and then go and replace him with even a keeper on loan, if you can’t find a permanent solution now, someone like an Owen Goodman at Wimbledon, could loan him in from Palace.

“Joe Whitworth at Exeter, also from Palace, there are a lot of good young keepers out there you could go and loan in, if you can’t find a permanent solution now.

“I know Tom Watson in the U21s, people have got high hopes for him but maybe he needs that extra year.

“Again, you loan somebody in, you give Watson an extra year by doing that and then he maybe takes the reins after next season.

“But, overall, I don’t see Sam Tickle staying, no.”

Wigan could cash in on Tickle to raise major funds

Given Wigan weren’t anywhere near a promotion challenge this year, now might be a good time to cash in on Tickle in order to raise major funds.

If he was sold for £3.5 or 4 million and a loanee was brought in to replace him, then that’s money that could be reinvested back into improving the rest of the squad.

It would certainly be a blow for Ryan Lowe’s side to lose someone of Tickle’s quality, and they have no immediate need to cash in due to his contract not expiring until 2028.

However, he is ready to compete in the Championship and the club may not want to stand in the way of that opportunity should it arrive, provided the fee they’ll receive is acceptable.