Wigan Athletic can't be 'held to ransom' as QPR, Bristol City eye 'ridiculous' transfer | OneFootball

Queens Park Rangers and Bristol City are both keen to sign Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Sam Tickle

Queens Park Rangers and Bristol City have both eyed a summer transfer swoop for talented Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Sam Tickle.

The 24-year-old has been ever-present between the sticks for the Latics during the last three League One seasons, having made his league debut on the final day of the 2022/23 Championship campaign.

Wigan have been in the third-tier relegation battle in both of the last two seasons, which is not reflective of Tickle's goalkeeping ability, although he did make some uncharacteristic errors in 2025/26.

The interest in his services from QPR and the Robins proves the fact that the former England Under-21 international is capable of playing in the Championship.

Wigan Athletic told the lowest amount they should sell Sam Tickle for as QPR and Bristol City circle

The goalkeeper maintained 13 clean sheets for Wigan during the most recent League One campaign, while he also notched two assists, which came in draws against Lincoln City and Barnsley.

According to Alan Nixon on Patreon, QPR are interested in Tickle and could sign him for a fee worth between £1.5million and £2m.

A Football League World exclusive subsequently revealed that Bristol City have joined the race for Tickle, as Michael Skubala looks to build his own squad at Ashton Gate following his recent managerial appointment.

FLW have asked our Wigan fan pundit, Corey Bissell, what the minimum amount he would accept for the Latics goalkeeper is, amid the interest from the R's and the Robins.

Bissell said: "The minimum I'd take is probably about £2.5m. He's probably worth between that and £3m. I think his price has dropped from last year, because he had a worse season in the season just gone than the season before that.

"But obviously, he's still a young goalkeeper. He's still a lad who played for England's Under-21s. You can't drop his price too much based on one season that was probably subpar by his own standards.

"Obviously, the whole team was subpar. You can't drop his price too much based on that. I'd say £2.5m-£3m is probably what I'd take for Tickle at the minute.

"No release clause, we're in a strong position contract-wise, so I don't see the point in us being held to ransom for the mooted £1.5m. I think that's ridiculous.

"I think upwards of £2.5m, for me."

Sam Tickle exit would give Gary Caldwell big headache

Wigan boss Gary Caldwell did remarkably well to steer the Latics to League One safety with three games to spare, thanks to successive wins over Northampton Town, Mansfield Town, and Rotherham United in January.

Caldwell's predecessor, Ryan Lowe, left the Brick Community Stadium outfit in danger of being relegated to League Two.

The former Exeter City boss, who also managed the Latics a decade ago, is now tasked with utilising the summer transfer window to build his own squad.

According to the Telegraph & Argus, Bradford City captain Max Power, who played for Wigan when they won the League One title under Caldwell in 2016, has informed the Bantams that he wants to return to Greater Manchester for a third spell for the Tics.

Reacquiring the midfielder, who has strong leadership skills, would be a good move for the Latics in the transfer market.

On the other hand, losing Tickle would give Caldwell a serious headache, as the goalkeeper has been one of their best players ever since making his league debut.

Furthermore, Wigan have released their former back-up goalkeeping options, Toby Savin and Matthew Corran, leaving Tom Watson as their only senior shot-stopper.