Chris Sze to be moved on? Wigan Athletic must sort these 2 issues before August 30th | OneFootball

FLW takes a look at two issues Wigan Athletic must solve this transfer window

Wigan Athletic have enjoyed a positive start to the current summer transfer window, including the loan signings of Brentford's Michael Olakigbe and Liverpool's Calvin Ramsay.

The Latics also secured a permanent deal for Dion Rankine, formerly of Chelsea, and will hope to challenge for the League One play-off spots next season.

Shaun Maloney will be pleased with the transfer business he has already conducted this summer, but there are still some issues he must sort out ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

Chris Sze decision must be made

Latics academy graduate Chris Sze enjoyed somewhat of a breakout season last time out, as he made 19 League One appearances, but he was named in Maloney's starting lineup on just two occasions, and still has limited experience as a first team player.

Due to his lack of starting 11 opportunities, the Latics are still yet to discover what Sze's best position is, so perhaps a loan move to a side where he would earn more playing time could help the 20-year-old establish himself in the senior game.

Sze has been deployed as an attacking midfielder for the Latics before, but this is a position which is occupied by fellow academy product Thelo Aasgaard, who appears unlikely to be dropped following a successful season last campaign.

Furthermore, Latics youngster Josh Stones recently demonstrated the success that loan moves can bring, as he scored three goals in four National League appearances for Oldham Athletic before suffering an injury.

If Sze was able to make a similar move, but stay injury-free, it could be beneficial for all parties involved, not least the starlet himself.

Maloney must decide this transfer window whether to offer the 20-year-old with more first-team opportunities, or if a loan away from the Brick Community Stadium would be the best way forward.

Wigan Athletic must sign a striker this summer

The end of the 2023/24 season also witnessed the exits of former Latics forwards Charlie Wyke, Josh Magennis and Stephen Humphrys, whose contracts all expired.

Magennis has subsequently joined Exeter City, where he will link up with former Wigan captain and later manager Gary Caldwell, and his assistant David Perkins, who played under the Scotsman for the Greater Manchester side.

But the Latics must now sign a forward themselves, as these recent departures have left 20-year-old Stones as the only out-and-out striker at Maloney's disposal.

Although Stones proved that he has an eye for goal during his brief stint at Oldham, the 'Tics must look to bring a new striker to the club sooner rather than later.

The loan market has proven fruitful for the Latics throughout Maloney's tenure so far, as the likes of Liam Morrison and Luke Chambers performed well at the Brick Community Stadium last season.

Perhaps the club could look to make a loan swoop in the striker department to bolster their play-off chances by landing a signing such as Ronnie Stutter, who scored 11 goals in 14 appearances for the Chelsea academy in the PL2 last season, according to FotMob.

Meanwhile, the option of making a permanent addition could also be taken, and the Latics could do worse than signing Newport County's Will Evans, who scored 21 goals in 46 League Two appearances last term.