Callum Lang is the subject of a transfer battle between numerous EFL clubs after the Wigan Athletic forward handed in a transfer request.
The 25-year-old submitted a request to Latics boss Shaun Maloney earlier this week, with the manager later confirming that Lang will be dropped from future squads. He said to Wigan Today: “Yeah, the situation with Callum has changed slightly.
“But he wants to go to another club. We’ve spoken about it, and so we’ll have to wait for that situation to be resolved.
“I have nothing whatsoever negative to say about Callum. He’s a brilliant boy, came through our Academy, did absolutely brilliantly for me last year, and played when he wasn’t being paid.
“So I’ve got nothing but total respect for him…but obviously we have to find a solution to this situation. Until we do, he won’t be involved in the squad.”
Several EFL clubs are interested in the services of the Wigan vice-captain, including Portsmouth, Rotherham United and Derby County.
The Rotherham Advertiser understands that a verbal bid has been made for Lang, but the Millers are not the club responsible. The 25-year-old’s contract expires at the end of the season.
Pompey sporting director Rich Hughes played down the League One Leaders’ interest to The Portsmouth News earlier this window: “I have worked with Callum in the past (at Wigan), he’s a wonderful young man, good footballer, but there is nothing in it at this point.”
The News also reports that Portsmouth made an enquiry to the Lancashire club last week. Lang can play either in an attacking midfield role or as a right winger.
Lang has spent his entire career with The Tics, playing 143 games for the club and scoring 31 goals. The number 19 has also spent time on loan at Shrewsbury Town in League One, as well as Morecambe and Oldham Athletic in the fourth tier.
Writer’s View
Callum Lang is seeking an exit from Wigan Athletic and seems set to move away this window. With the club failing to rebound following their relegation to League One, it seems Lang has decided to move to pastures new with a new side. All three rumoured teams interested in the 25-year-old offer their own lures and pitfalls.
Rotherham can offer the Liverpudlian attacker immediate Championship football but will be in the midst of a brutal relegation fight. Pompey are currently top of League One, however their form seems to be stagnating and the teams beneath them have caught up to John Mousinho’s side. Derby can similarly give Lang a shot at promotion, but with the quality of the teams in the fight for the playoffs, it will be difficult for The Rams to achieve Championship football next year.
