Charlie Hughes clause: 2 transfer regrets Wigan Athletic should have following summer window | OneFootball

FLW analyses two transfer regrets Wigan Athletic must have from the summer window

Wigan Athletic endured a difficult campaign last time out, as the Latics began the 2023/24 season with an eight point deduction, inflicted upon the club due to the financial mismanagement of previous owner Abdulrahman Al Jasmi.

The club's previous monetary issues also saw them handed a transfer embargo last season, so manager Shaun Maloney had to make do with a squad fully comprised of players signed by previous managers, loanees and free agent signings.

Despite this set back, Maloney guided the Latics to a top-half finish, leaving supporters optimistic about what the Scot can achieve now that he has the freedom to make transfers.

However, partly due to owner Mike Danson's focus on financial sustainability, the Greater Manchester outfit did not enjoy a particularly eye-catching transfer window despite the early captures of the likes of Dion Rankine, signed permanently from Chelsea, and Calvin Ramsay, signed on loan from Liverpool.

Charlie Hughes transfer fee

The relative success of last season at the Brick Community Stadium was largely down to the contributions of the club's youth academy, and Charlie Hughes was a particularly notable starlet for Maloney and co, who had climbed through the club's ranks.

Hughes' impressive performances in Wigan colours earned him caps for the England Men's Elite League Squad, formerly known as the Under-20s, while during his tenure with the Latics, he was linked with moves to West Ham, Ipswich Town, and Brentford.

Amid high calibre interest, it seemed inevitable that the high-quality centre-back would eventually depart Latics, and he joined Hull City during the summer window.

The Greater Manchester outfit should not be too disheartened by Hughes' exit as he deserves to be playing Championship football, but they can be disappointed that they couldn't hold out for a more lucrative transfer fee.

While Wigan's official club website reported that the 20-year-old left for an undisclosed fee, the Hull Daily Mail revealed that the defender's release clause was in the region of £3.5m.

Hughes was arguably one of the best centre-halves in League One last season, who was not only a rock at the back for the Latics but also integral to the way in which Maloney's men play possession-based football out from the back, while at such a young age he boasts bags of potential.

The Greater Manchester outfit should feel as though they could have sold their former star man for more money, had it not been for a relatively cheap release clause.

Latics still lack senior striker

Following the conclusion of last season, senior forwards Stephen Humphrys, Josh Magennis, and Charlie Wyke all left the Brick Community Stadium following the expiration of their contracts.

The trio have subsequently joined Barnsley, Exeter City, and League Two Carlisle United respectively.

Many Latics supporters will have thought that their club would respond to these departures by signing a new senior striker during the summer transfer window, but this did not happen.

The Latics have signed striker Joe Hugill on loan from Manchester United, Dale Taylor on loan from Nottingham Forest, and Maleace Asamoah on a permanent deal from Fleetwood Town.

But Asamoah is the oldest of the three at just 21 years old, which demonstrates the fact that Maloney and co have not replaced the experience that left the squad when Humphrys, Magennis and Wyke all exited.