The 3 Wigan Athletic players who could attract serious transfer interest this summer | OneFootball

Wigan Athletic had a strong 2023/24 League One campaign, finishing 12th in the third tier table despite beginning the season with a points deduction, and being under a transfer embargo.

The Latics' transfer embargo is no longer in place for the 2024 summer transfer window, and boss Shaun Maloney will hope to utilise the opportunity to bring new players to the club.

Maloney's young players starred in the first team throughout the season, and the 41-year-old will hope that new additions over the summer can help the club battle for a 2024/25 play-off spot.

But the Latics appear likely to wave goodbye to some of their talented starlets this summer, as well as bringing in new assets to the squad, and these are the three players most likely to attract transfer interest:

Charlie Hughes

Charlie Hughes has impressed in central defence for the Latics, and aged just 20, he has captained the side on multiple occasions, including during an FA Cup third round tie with Manchester United.

He has also represented the England men's Euro Elite Squad this campaign, and plays a key role towards the way in which Maloney's men play out from the back.

Hughes also has the ability to be a difference maker for his side, and scored a remarkable 110th minute winner in a 1-0 victory over Wycombe Wanderers back in January.

He is a solid defender who, according to FotMob, won 66.7% of tackles he attempted during the 2023/24 League One season, and also won 64.2% of duels he won.

Furthermore, he had an admirable pass accuracy of 82.9%, and showcased his all round ability by scoring four goals and providing one assist in the third tier.

These are all qualities which would make Hughes an ideal buy for potential suitors, while the 20-year-old has been linked with Ipswich Town, West Ham and Brentford by The i, and interest in the England youth international is unlikely to dwindle over the summer.

Maloney's men would ideally like to keep hold of their academy graduate if possible, but if a Premier League side comes knocking, they will undoubtedly be hard to fend off.

Sam Tickle

Sam Tickle is arguably the jewel in the crown of the Latics' youth academy products who are now first team regulars at the Brick Community Stadium.

The shot-stopper kept a clean sheet on his England Under-21s debut back in March as the Young Lions hammered Luxembourg 7-0 at Bolton Wanderers' Toughsheet Community Stadium.

He has impressed between the sticks for Maloney's side throughout the 2023/24 campaign, and kept a total of 15 clean sheets, having played all 46 League One games.

On Thursday afternoon, the Latics confirmed that Tickle had signed a new deal with the club, keeping him at the Brick Community Stadium until 2028, which will make him difficult to prise away, but his talent suggests there will be no shortage of transfer interest.

The 22-year-old's exploits have been of interest to Everton, according to The Athletic, while Sunderland have also been linked to the ace by Alan Nixon via Patreon.

If the Toffees sign Tickle, it is unlikely to see the current Latics man earn first team football with the Merseyside outfit straight away due to the presence of England star Jordan Pickford.

Meanwhile, a move to the Black Cats could be dependent on the future of current number one Anthony Patterson, as the Newcastle Chronicle have credited Liverpool with interest in the 24-year-old.

Similarly to Hughes, Maloney and co will be willing to maintain the services of Tickle, but this may be a tall order given the high-profile transfer links.

But if Tickle goes to Goodison Park, the Latics could make a swoop to return him to the Brick Community Stadium on a loan basis, a deal which Everton could be willing to accept given Pickford's clear status as first choice.

However, both the Black Cats and the Toffees may now be tempted to look elsewhere following the goalkeeper's contract extension, as the Latics may demand an inflated transfer fee.

Thelo Aasgaard

A favourite among the Latics faithful, Thelo Aasgaard may not have as many external admirers as Hughes and Tickle, but his strong performances during the 2023/24 League One season could see him pursued by other clubs this summer.

The Norway Under-21 international had his most productive season in front of goal to date during the 2023/24 League One season, scoring eight goals and creating three assists.

He first became a first team player during the 2020/21 season, when the Latics were under administration, and he has grown to become one of Wigan's best players.

Supporters of the Greater Manchester outfit have long since admired Aasgaard for his ability to score wonder strikes from outside the box, but under Maloney's stewardship he has found his poacher instinct.

The academy product has showcased his ability to play both as an attacking midfielder, and as a false nine during the 2023/24 campaign, which could make him an attractive prospect in the transfer market.

But Maloney will be eager to retain the services of one of his star men, and with profits for Hughes and Tickle looking likely, the Latics should be able to keep Aasgaard, and he may be difficult to tempt him away from Wigan after signing a contract which lasts until 2028.