Caldwell provides transfer update - 'The clubs are in discussions'
· Paul Kendrick · 2026-08-16T14:13:42+00:00 · nguồn gốc
Wigan Athletic boss provides transfer update - 'The clubs are in discussions'
Gary Caldwell confirmed squad reinforcements are imminent after watching Wigan Athletic kick-off their League One campaign with defeat at Cambridge United.
Two of the summer signings - Sonny Perkins and Akeel Higgins - scored on their league debuts as Latics went down 3-2 at the Abbey Stadium, having been three goals down at the three-quarter mark.
Latics were without big defender Finley Burns, who joined from Manchester City 24 hours before the game, while Caldwell made reference to another new-boy - Chelsea starlet Reggie Walsh - having also agreed to join.
"We didn't have Finley or Reggie today," he said after the game. "And we'll hopefully confirm another signing over the weekend.
"We're still busy, we're still trying to bring in as many players as we can, to create that competition.
"That being said, it's easier said than done to get them in. But you see the work being done by the club and Joe (Riley, head of recruitment) this week, in bringing in fantastic young talent like Fin and Reggie.
"As you saw on Saturday, we need more, we need to build that competition, and we'll continue to push towards that."
The third potential new player is believed to be Fulham's young attacking midfielder Luke Harris, who played under Caldwell during a previous loan spell at Exeter City in 2023/24.
Harris, a Wales Under-21 international, would take the place of Hindolo Mustapha, whose season-long loan from Crystal Palace was surprisingly cancelled last week.
"We just want people at the club who are going to give everything, and that wasn't quite right," explained Caldwell.
"It wasn't working for him, it wasn't working for us. He's a good kid with huge talent, and he's got fixed up Notts County, so we wish him well there."
Also on the way out is midfielder Tobias Brenan, with League One newcomers Bromley closing in on his signing.
"The clubs are in discussions, I don't know where they are with that, but those discussions are ongoing," said Caldwell.
"That's another that will free up a position that we can fill, and replace these players with players we want to build a strong squad this season.
"I can't fault Tobias in terms of what he's done in pre-season, his attitude and his work ethic has been fantastic. But I need another player in that position, with a different profile.
"I think Tobias is ready to go and get first-team football with another club, and we wish him well."
Baba Adeeko last week became the latest player to leave the club, having been made available for transfer at the end of last season.
The academy product spent time on trial at Oldham Athletic last month, and has joined League Two newcomers Rochdale on a one-year contract – joining up with Jonny Smith, who made the same move on a two-year deal earlier this month.
"We were always clear on which players would potentially be leaving the club, to allow other players to come into the club," added Caldwell.