It’s fair to say that the Festive season is in full swing! & Wigan’s football is on the up with Ryan Lowe finally stabilising the Latic’s style of football for the time being. Meanwhile the New Year is just around the corner, and the Winter transfer window is waiting to open and already a certain player is gaining heavy attention and it’s not in Wigan’s favour
The player on the cards for a potential move away is Sam Tickle, who is reportedly wanted by Sheffield United, and the basis is that they plan to turn up the pressure should current first choice goalkeeper Michael Cooper leave in January. Wigan’s first choice goalkeeper is a man who is no stranger for attracting heavy interest. Sheffield United’s season hasn’t gone at all to plan, the side sat 18th, only 4 points clear of the relegation zone, and it’s a complete downfall compared to the last, as during the 24/25 campaign they were heavy favourites for the Automatics, and ended up narrowly missing out on the top two. Flash forward to now, Ruben Selles damaged their reputation, and former boss Chris Wilder was reappointed to attempt to pick up the pieces but it’s fair to say he is struggling immensely.
Potential Transfer fee
Super Sam is currently valued at £1.2M, but further reports suggest, that should the heavy interest in Cooper increase, Sheffield could receive upto £20M for the shotstopper.
What does this mean?
Essentially should Sheffield receive such money for him, the logic will be that Wigan could demand much more than Sam Tickle’s base value, and could receive amends of upto £5M! Which for a Mid Table League One side is very big money indeed.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Big money: As discussed earlier, receiving £5M for Tickle, or any player is not something many League One sides can say they’ve achieved, and it would make finding a potential replacement that bit easier, aswell as leaving a decent chunk left over to either use on other players, or pay off any debts, etc.
- Tickle’s going to leave eventually: Sam Tickle has performed admirably for Wigan, and arguably is to good for League One, he eventually will want Championship football, and him leaving is something that I feel is inevitable, so maybe it’s not worth delaying it. 🤷♂️
- Impressive track record: Should Tickle make the move/step up, he is added to an impressive list of Wigan Athletic academy players who have left and made big money moves to Premier League/Championship sides.
- Joe Geldhardt joins Leeds United for £1M in August 2020, after emerging as an EFL sensation during the 19/20 campaign
- Charlie Hughes joins Hull City for £4.7M in August 2024, after immensely impressing during the 23/24 campaign
- Thelo Aasgaard joins Luton Town for £3.6M in January 2025, after big numbers popping during the first half of the 24/25 campaign.
Cons
- Huge first-team player: Wigan wouldn’t be loosing any player, it’s their first choice goalkeeper, a player who consistently keeps them in big games, and delivers the biggest moments, whether that’s in normal time or on penalties.
- Fan-Favourite: Tickle’s a homegrown player, he was given an opportunity by Shaun Maloney and his journey so far has been admirable, he is absolutely loved by the Wigan fanbase, and his affection for them speaks for itself.
- Backlash: If Wigan give in and sell Tickle mid-season the fans will NOT be impressed, and it could spark some real controversy.
Overall, it’s going to be very interesting to see the genuine limit that this rumour reaches. However, I’m confident that Sam Tickle will be at Wigan until at least the end of the season and then we go from there.