Charlton Athletic and Wycombe Wanderers are both eyeing up a move for versatile midfielder Shane McLoughlin, according to Football Insider.
Interest in the 26-year-old midfielder is increasing off the back of a strong first half of the season at Newport County, which has seen him get three goals and two assists in 20 appearances in the league, according to Transfermarkt.
The Irishman started his youth career in Ireland before joining Ipswich Town at the age of 16. Following two loans to Bromley, he returned to Portman Road but only made a single senior appearance. It was at AFC Wimbledon where he got more playing time, appearing regularly for them during his stint there between 2019 and 2021.
Morecambe then signed the Ireland youth international, where he played 43 games in his 18-month spell, before then joining Salford. However, it did not work out for the former National League loanee there, seeing him move to South Wales in the summer.
The midfielder is praised for being highly versatile after playing numerous different positions across the midfield for Newport this season. He has also shown off his goalscoring capabilities, primarily in the FA Cup, which has seen him score his club’s only three goals in the competition so far this season.
Charlton and Wycombe Wanderers are both reportedly after McLoughlin in the January transfer window. However, it is unlikely that any deal would be straightforward or cheap. Either club would have to pay a fee as the midfielder was signed on a two-year deal, which still has 18 months left.
The Addicks currently sit 10th in League One, seven points off the playoff places.
Writer’s View
McLoughlin clearly has the required ability to perform at League One level after playing over 100 games in the division, so the step up, even mid-season, should not come with too much difficulty to him.
If the midfielder were to have to choose between the Addicks or Wycombe, it is highly likely he would be choosing Charlton, especially considering their playoff aspirations.
Furthermore, Michael Appleton may be the perfect manager to bring the best out of a midfielder as versatile as the Irishman due to his desire to have midfielders who are talented ball players.
