Bristol City transfer truth emerges involving £2m-rated Wigan star | OneFootball

Bristol City are in the race to sign Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Sam Tickle

Bristol City have eyed a transfer swoop for one of Wigan Athletic's biggest assets ahead of next season, and there has been plenty of social media speculation that the Robins have already tabled a bid.

The Latics have found themselves in the League One relegation battle in both of the last two campaigns, leaving them at risk of losing some of their best players, who could be operating at a higher level.

Meanwhile, Bristol City landed a Championship play-off spot in 2025, but failed to emulate that feat last season, instead finishing 12th, 11 points adrift of the top six.

The West Country outfit have subsequently appointed former Lincoln City boss Michael Skubala, who is vying to build his own squad at Ashton Gate this summer.

Sam Tickle transfer truth emerges amid rumours of Bristol City bid

Action Images

As exclusively revealed by Football League World, Bristol City have joined Queens Park Rangers in the race to sign Wigan goalkeeper Sam Tickle.

Tickle has been an outstanding performer for the Latics, appearing in all 138 games across their last three League One seasons, making plenty of impressive saves in the process.

The 24-year-old is a former England Under-21 international, and improved his distribution last season, as epitomised by the fact that he notched two assists.

Meanwhile, according to Alan Nixon on Patreon, Wigan could accept a fee worth between £1.5million and £2m for Tickle this summer, amid Bristol City's advances.

Since then, rumours have swirled on social media that the Robins are already set to sign the man who has one Championship appearance to his name.

Tickle's Latics debut came on the final day of their 2022/23 second-tier campaign, when they had already been relegated to League One, and he maintained a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw with Rotherham United.

He has subsequently proven that he is capable of making the step-up back to the Championship, though, and Wigan's loss would certainly be Bristol City's gain.

However, Wigan Today have revealed that Tickle's current club are yet to receive a bid from the Robins for the 24-year-old's services.

Sam Tickle would be a strong signing for Bristol City

Action Images

Bristol City are yet to table a bid for Tickle, but they are certainly keen on the goalkeeper, who once again proved his class in League One last season, despite the Latics' struggles at the wrong end of the table.

If the Robins beat rival interest from QPR in the Wigan academy graduate's signature, they will be getting their hands on a gifted shot-stopper, who even impressed when the Brick Community Stadium side hosted Manchester United in an FA Cup tie in 2024.

One of the West Country outfit's best players last term was goalkeeper Radek Vitek, who moved to Ashton Gate on loan from Man United, and has subsequently returned to his parent club.

Tickle's Wigan performances over the years prove that he would be an adequate replacement for Vitek, and he could have what it takes to help Bristol City land a Championship play-off place, if Skubala also gets the rest of his transfer business right.