Wigan Athletic interested in ex-Blackpool striker but face League One transfer competition | OneFootball

Wigan Athletic want to sign free agent Jordan Rhodes, but face competition from League One rivals Burton Albion.

Wigan Athletic are keen to bring veteran striker Jordan Rhodes to the Brick Community Stadium this summer, but will face competition from League One rivals Burton Albion, according to reports.

The 35-year-old is one of the most well-recognised names in the EFL over the last decade when it comes to scoring goals, with 123 goals at Championship level across his career, and a further 86 in League One.

Sadly for Rhodes, the goals have dried up in the twilight of his career, with just one league goal to his name over the last 12 months. However, clubs remain interested in the experienced forward, despite his struggles in front of goal.

According to reports from Alan Nixon via his Patreon page on Sunday morning, Wigan are keen to bring the former Huddersfield Town striker in as cover, but face competition from fellow League One outfit Burton.

Wigan Athletic keen to sign Jordan Rhodes, but face Burton Albion competition

Following a loan spell at Mansfield Town in the second-half of last season which yielded a solitary goal in 14 League One outings, Rhodes was released by parent club Blackpool this summer, following the expiration of his contract.

With the goals drying up for the highly-experienced talisman, it was unclear what his next move would be. It seems his future may still be in the third tier, as Nixon has reported both Wigan and Burton are keen to sign the free agent.

The Latics have already added strikers Christian Saydee and Paul Mullin to their ranks, as well as Burnley's Dara Costelloe on a permanent deal, but are reportedly weighing up a move for Rhodes to provide even more competition and cover to the aforementioned attackers.

However, it's been said that the Brewers will be contesting their fellow League One outfit, as Gary Bowyer is keen to re-unite with the 35-year-old at the Pirelli Stadium after they worked together at Blackburn Rovers earlier in his career.

It's unclear what sort of role Rhodes is looking to play in the twilight of his career, and whether he would personally settle to be a depth option in a strong League One side, or whether he would rather go elsewhere and play more minutes.

With the two additions to Ryan Lowe's front line already, the best-case scenario for the 35-year-old at Wigan would see him as the third-choice striker. He could be even further down the order than that.

A move to Burton may not see him be the main man of Bowyer's exciting project, but minutes would likely be easier to come by, especially with the previous relationship between the pair at Blackburn.

With that in mind, a move to the Brick Community Stadium might not be the best thing for Rhodes' career if he wants to continue playing regularly, but he could be happy to settle for that backup role at a huge club like Wigan.