Exclusive: Wigan Athletic, Lincoln City & Bristol Rovers in transfer race for ex-Stockport County star | OneFootball

Wigan Athletic, Lincoln City and Bristol Rovers have all made offers for ex-Stockport County star Macauley Southam-Hales, FLW understands.

Wigan Athletic, Lincoln City and Bristol Rovers have all tabled offers for ex-Stockport County star Macauley Southam-Hales, Football League World has exclusively been informed.

Stockport have already confirmed that the 29-year-old will leave Edgeley Park this summer after the expiration of his Hatters contract.

Both Wigan and Lincoln City will be looking to conduct some shrewd transfer business this summer in order to position themselves among the League One play-off contenders next season.

Meanwhile, Bristol Rovers are preparing for life back in League Two for 2025/26, and as such, will be looking to make some key additions this summer as they attempt to return to the third tier at the first time of asking.

Wigan, Lincoln City and Bristol Rovers battling to sign ex-Stockport star Macauley Southam-Hales

Football League World has exclusively been informed that Wigan, Lincoln City and Bristol Rovers have all made offers to Macauley Southam-Hales after his departure from Stockport County has been confirmed.

Southam-Hales joined Stockport in the summer of 2020 from Fleetwood Town, and quickly established himself as a hugely important figure at the club, both on and off the pitch.

A versatile right-sided player who can operate as a right-back, right wing-back and even at right-midfield, the former Hartlepool United and Barry Town United man has made 123 appearances for the Hatters during his five years at Edgeley Park.

He has won three promotions during his time at the club, having joined them at National League level, and has been part of the journey that has taken the club all the way to a League One play-off semi-final defeat in their first campaign back at the level this past term.

Southam-Hales could be a highly shrewd addition for anyone of Wigan, Lincoln or Bristol Rovers

Southam-Hales has proven himself to be a quality player at numerous levels of English football.

The Welshman is also a top character and human being, exemplified by the fact he was named Community Player of the Season this past term for his outstanding work in the local community.

“Macauley Southam-Hales is one of the best people I have met in my life," is what County CEO Simon Wilson said of the former Hatters star.

"I have to say that before we talk about what a brilliant footballer he is. He is such a giving person and would do anything for anybody. He parks any personal motive for the good of the group, club, community or cause. His nature, spirit, personality, whatever you want to call it, is infectious, and he makes everyone he interacts with better."

So, despite the fact he's suffered his fair share of injury woes during his Stockport career, as well as the fact he's only been able to make 13, 24 and 20 appearances in all competitions over the last three seasons, Southam-Hales would instantly bring so much value to any dressing room he walks into.

Therefore, Wigan, Lincoln City and Bristol Rovers could all surely do worse than signing the former Stockport County wideman this summer, on a free transfer no less.