Wigan Athletic can capitalise on Cheltenham Town situation to replace Birmingham, Everton, Sunderland target: View | OneFootball

Wigan Athletic had a successful 2023/24 League One season, landing a top-half finish against the odds, after beginning the campaign on -8 points.

Due to a transfer embargo that spanned each of the last two transfer windows, Shaun Maloney has had to instill his faith in the Latics' youth academy products, who have starred for the first team this term.

Academy graduates such as Norway under-21 starlet Thelo Aasgaard, England youth international Charlie Hughes, and Wigan-born Scott Smith have all impressed this campaign, but arguably the team's most exciting prospect is goalkeeping sensation Sam Tickle.

Tickle's performances at the DW Stadium earned him a spot in Lee Carsley's England under-21 side, and back in March, he kept a clean sheet on debut for the Young Lions, who demolished Luxembourg 7-0 at Bolton Wanderers' Toughsheet Community Stadium.

The 22-year-old has also been solid in League One all season long and kept 15 third tier clean sheets, the sixth-highest total in the league.

As a result of his exploits, Tickle has naturally attracted transfer interest, with The Athletic reporting in January, shortly after he impressed in an FA Cup third round tie with Manchester United, that Everton and other Premier League clubs were interested in his services.

Meanwhile, Championship outfit Sunderland are reportedly keen on the Latics shot-stopper, with Birmingham City also keen, according to Alan Nixon.

Wigan boss Maloney could therefore be on the hunt for a new goalkeeper this transfer window.

Cheltenham Town goalkeeper could be strong Tickle successor

Cheltenham Town may have been relegated back to League Two after a three-year stint in the third tier, but shot-stopper Luke Southwood was a shining light in a struggling team.

The former Reading man kept 10 clean sheets, and according to FotMob, the 26-year-old boasted a save percentage of 68.5% after making 137 saves from 199 shots faced.

Furthermore, Southwood is able to keep calm under pressure, a quality he demonstrated by saving four of the eight penalties he faced in League One during the 2023/24 campaign.

Tickle is undoubtedly a tough act to follow, but the Robins 'keeper could be a good fit given his strong performances for a now relegated team.

The Latics can capitalise on the Robins' woes

Following his side's relegation, Southwood clearly feels he has proven himself at League One level, and will be a free agent this summer after turning down a contract offer, as reported by journalist Jon Palmer, which is a situation the Latics can take advantage of in their search for a new shot-stopper in the event of a Tickle exit.

Furthermore, the Northern Ireland international has 26 Championship appearances, which he earned during his time at Reading after coming up through the Royals' academy ranks.

The Latics will undoubtedly feel the effects of Tickle's somewhat likely-looking departure, but given the fact that Southwood has played senior international football and in the second tier, he could be an adequate replacement who has a respectable record in League One.

However, the 26-year-old broke his leg during the first half of his side's 2-1 defeat to Stevenage on the final day of the season, but this setback may not be enough to put the Latics off Southwood's signature altogether, as it may be necessary for them to purchase two goalkeepers this summer due to the fact that current back-up choice Ben Amos is out of contract.

The summer transfer window is important for the Latics

This summer, the Greater Manchester outfit will be free from the shackles of their previous transfer embargo, so Maloney will be looking to bring fresh talent to the DW Stadium.

Finding a Tickle replacement amid interest in the starlet will be a good starting point for the 'Tics, and if they are able to have an overall successful window, a 2024/25 play-off challenge could be on the cards.

Without their eight-point deduction, the Latics would have finished in 10th place, and eight points shy of the top six, which suggests that if they can get their business right this summer, the play-offs are a realistic target for next season.