Exclusive: Wigan Athletic & Peterborough United in transfer chase for Walsall player | OneFootball

Saddlers defender David Okagbue is a target for Posh and the Latics

League One duo Wigan Athletic and Peterborough United are chasing Walsall defender David Okagbue in what would be a permanent transfer, sources have exclusively told Football League World.

The Latics and Posh both had underwhelming seasons in League One, finishing 15th and 18th in the table respectively.

Both clubs have already been busy in the transfer market this summer with five new signings each, including Wrexham striker Paul Mullin moving on loan to Wigan, while Peterborough have also brought five new faces in at the Weston Homes Stadium - and now they are chasing the same player from losing League Two play-off finalists Walsall.

Wigan Athletic & Peterborough United keen on Walsall defender David Okagbue

FLW have been told that Walsall defender David Okagbue is wanted by both Wigan and Peterborough, just a year after he joined the Saddlers from Championship outfit Stoke City, signing for them permanently following a successful loan period during the 2023-24 season.

Okagbue has caps for both the Republic of Ireland's under-19 team and their under-21 team, and he signed for Stoke in 2020, having previously played for a youth team affiliated to the League of Ireland side Bohemians.

He had previously been sent out on loan to National League North club Chester and National League outfit Oldham Athletic, for whom he made nine appearances, before making the switch to Walsall.

21-year-old Okagbue, who played in all but two league and play-off games for the Saddlers last season, signed for the Saddlers on a permanent two-year contract in 2024, meaning that his deal still has a year left to run.

A regular on the right-hand side of Mat Sadler's back three at the Bescot Stadium last season, Okagbue could now be making the step up to League One, should either Wigan or Peterborough be able to agree a transfer fee for the Irishman.