2 bargain free transfers Wigan Athletic could consider ft Scott Hogan | OneFootball

Wigan Athletic could sign these two free agents as the Latics hunt for a League One play-off spot

Highlights

Wigan Athletic will be hoping to land a play-off spot come the end of the new League One season, but the Latics have not started the fresh campaign in the manner they would have wanted.

Shaun Maloney's men suffered a 1-0 opening day defeat at the hands of Charlton Athletic, and went on to lose on penalties to Barnsley in the first round of the EFL Cup.

The Latics have also now lost England youth international defender and first team star Charlie Hughes, following his move to Championship side Hull City.

As the Latics aim to adjust to life without one of their former key men, FLW looks at two free agents the Greater Manchester outfit could sign:

Scott Hogan

The recent departures of Charlie Wyke, Josh Magennis and Stephen Humphrys, whose contracts all expired at the end of last season, have left Maloney without a senior striker in his squad.

The only two out-and-out strikers among the Latics' ranks are 20-year-old Josh Stones, who made just six League One appearances last campaign, and fellow youngster Joe Hugill, who is on loan from Manchester United.

The arrival of an experienced striker would clearly do the Greater Manchester outfit the world of good, and former Birmingham City man Scott Hogan, currently a free agent, could fit the bill perfectly.

At 32 years old, the Ireland international has bags of experience, while as recently as the 2022/23 season, he scored 10 goals in the Championship, which shows he could still be dangerous in the final third, especially at League One level.

Hogan would lead the line effectively for the Latics, while he could also offer tutelage to young forwards Stones and Hugill, whose confidence would be improved by the presence of an experienced teammate.

Furthermore, Maloney has revealed that he is keen on bringing an experienced forward to the Brick Community Stadium, a criteria which Hogan would clearly fulfill.

Michael Hector

Despite the departure of Hughes, the Latics still have more depth in defence than in the forward area, but Michael Hector would still be a very solid signing who could further bolster Maloney's backline.

Hector has played in the Premier League, the Championship and League One, and made 34 third tier appearances for Charlton last term, which demonstrates his quality.

The Jamaica international also featured for his nation in the Copa America tournament earlier this summer, playing a full 90 minutes in a group stage game against Venezuela.

The 32-year-old would add experience to a young Latics squad, while depth in defensive areas is key for Maloney, who often opts for a back three system.

When the Latics do deploy a back three, Hector's presence could allow the talented Luke Chambers, on loan from Liverpool, to play as a wing-back rather than a centre-back, which would bolster Wigan's threat going forwards.

During a previous loan spell at the Brick Community Stadium in the latter-half of last season, Chambers made four goal contributions in just 18 appearances, having been selected as a left centre-back, left-back and left-wing-back.

If the starlet was able to play at wing-back more frequently, then he could be even more dangerous in the final third, and a solid centre-half such as Hector could help to get the best out of the man on loan from the Reds.