Sheffield Wednesday transfer boost? Wigan Athletic 'can't afford' Huddersfield Town deal | OneFootball

FLW's Wigan Athletic fan pundit has given his verdict on whether the Latics could re-sign Huddersfield Town loanee Joe Taylor this summer.

Wigan Athletic will be hoping to climb the League One table next season under the guidance of head coach Gary Caldwell.

After a poor first half of the season under Ryan Lowe, Wigan were sitting in the relegation zone when Caldwell left his role at Exeter City to return to the Brick Community Stadium for a second spell in February.

Caldwell comfortably managed to lead the Latics away from relegation trouble, winning seven of his 16 games in charge after replacing Lowe to secure a 16th-placed finish, with his side ending the season seven points clear of the bottom four.

As Wigan look to remain clear of danger next season, Caldwell has made three new signings so far this summer, with Connor Barrett, Max Power and Sonny Perkins arriving in Lancashire, but it remains to be seen whether the club will pursue a deal for former loanee Joe Taylor.

Taylor spent the second half of last season on loan with the Latics from Huddersfield Town, scoring 11 goals in 22 appearances to help fire Caldwell's men to safety during an impressive temporary spell.

However, Taylor's form at Wigan appears to have caught the eye of a number of clubs, with Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield Wednesday said to be keen on the 23-year-old, who will reportedly be allowed to leave the Accu Stadium this summer if the Terriers can recoup the fee they paid for him, which is thought to have been in excess of £3 million.

Wigan Athletic, Joe Taylor transfer disappointment predicted amid Huddersfield Town exit talk

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When asked if the Latics should attempt to re-sign Taylor this summer, FLW's Wigan Athletic fan pundit Corey Bissell admitted that a permanent deal for the striker would likely be out of the club's price range.

"We can't afford Joe Taylor," Corey told FLW.

"I don't see him going out on loan anywhere else, I think Huddersfield will cash in if they're going to get rid of him, and we definitely can't afford him.

"Will I be disappointed if he goes to another League One team? Yeah, in the regard of I wish we were that ambitious, but at the same time, he's going to be expensive.

"I don't think many teams have got the cash to stump up for that one, that's not one that I will hold against the ownership.

"I think he will go to somebody who is willing to spend upwards of £1.5 – 2 million on him, but we don't have that sort of money.

"He's a great player, he'll probably be up there with the top scorers in the league if he's in this league next season, but what can you do?

"He had a good six months with us, he kept us in the division.

"Good luck to him."

Wigan Athletic must prepare for life without Joe Taylor as Huddersfield Town stance revealed

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While it has not worked out for him at Huddersfield, Taylor proved during his loan spell at Wigan that he can be a prolific goalscorer at League One level, so it is little surprise that he is a man in demand this summer.

The Latics would no doubt want to strike another loan deal for Taylor if the opportunity arises, but the Terriers will likely be keen to cash in on the striker this summer while his stock is high, which would surely rule the Lancashire side out of the race for his signature given their financial limitations.