Callum Lang update given as Derby County and Portsmouth eye Wigan Athletic ace | OneFootball

Wigan Athletic manager Shaun Maloney has provided Latics fans with a Callum Lang transfer update, after the 25-year-old forward has attracted transfer interest from Derby County and Portsmouth, according to Football Insider.

The Latics academy graduate has struggled in front of goal this season, and has scored on just two occasions in 19 League One starts, appearing to be a mere shadow of his former self, who scored 15 goals and created seven assists as the 'Tics then managed by Rotherham boss Leam Richardson, lifted the 2021/22 League One title.

As the race for promotion to the Championship heats up, it would be no surprise if the likes of the Rams and Pompey are looking at the Latics man, who has won the League One title in recent years, as they look to boast their own bids for a second-tier return.

However, a transfer update provided by Latics boss Maloney may dent any hopes either the Rams or Pompey fans had of signing the ace.

Maloney issues Lang transfer update

Speaking to Wigan Today, the 'Tics manager said: "There's been nothing in terms of from other clubs, nothing whatsoever regarding Callum.

"And if you ask me again in a week or so, I hope Langy will still be here with us, fighting for a position in the team.

"We need him...with him, Thelo (Aasgaard), Chris Sze really pushing in that No.10 position...with them all pushing each other, we know the squad will be looking good."

Following the Latics' FA Cup third round defeat to Manchester United, Lang was pictured as the last player remaining on the pitch, and looked visibly upset to those at the DW Stadium, which may have fuelled transfer speculation.

Maloney added: "I didn't see that after the game...it was probably just a case of Callum being gutted at the result against United.

"I understand it would have been a difficult night for Callum, because he didn't get as many minutes as he would have liked, and obviously the result.

"In his position, Thelo (Aasgaard) was just having a very good game...Langy's been very good for us in lots of different ways since I've been here, he's my vice-captain.

"I really like Langy, I'll never, ever forget he played for us when he wasn't getting paid.

"I've got nothing bad to say about Langy whatsoever, and I'd love him to stay.

"I'm not looking for any of our players to go this month...the only thing would be if someone was to come to me and say they either need more minutes, or there was something out there that really suited them and their family more than here.

"In either of those cases, I would listen to what they had to say, but I want to keep the players I have here, if we could keep the majority of the squad I would be happy."

This transfer update could dent Derby and Portsmouth's promotion hopes

Although Lang has not been in form this season, he is clearly a talented player at League One level, and he could cause damage for any third-tier team if he is able to re-discover the sort of form he displayed during the 2021/22 campaign.

The Latics are still under a transfer embargo, due to the financial mismanagement of their previous owners, and are only able to sign free agents or bring in players via the loan market so the quality of Maloney's squad is not what it could be.

A move to a club with a higher quality squad could help the forward re-ignite his previous form, and could eventually provide the ace with another opportunity to establish himself in the Championship after failing to make a real mark on the second-tier last season with the Latics.

As the season nears its end, strength in depth could prove to be a pivotal asset to any promotion chasing side, and the introduction of Lang to either the Rams or Pompey would certainly add more quality to their ranks, so missing out on the attacker will not do them a favour in their respective quests for promotion.