Wigan Athletic have been forced to abandon their pursuit of Fleetwood Town captain Brendan Wiredu after the 25-year-old failed his medical, Football League World has revealed.
The midfielder, who was expected to complete a move before the transfer deadline, was absent from Fleetwood’s 4-2 defeat to Morecambe at the weekend, with manager Pete Wild initially citing a minor knock.
Wigan’s Bid for Wiredu Collapses
Shaun Maloney had been targeting Wiredu since early January, with Wigan keen to bolster their midfield following the departure of Thelo Aasgaard to Luton Town in a £3.5 million transfer.
However, despite initial optimism, medical checks flagged an issue, causing Wigan to pull out of the deal. The development leaves Maloney scrambling for an alternative signing before the transfer window closes.
Wiredu’s Versatility and Fleetwood Career
Wiredu has been a key figure for Fleetwood since joining from Colchester United in 2022. The midfielder, who can also play at full-back or wing-back, has made 20 league starts this season and boasts an impressive 71.9% tackle success rate.
His ability to slot into multiple roles made him an attractive prospect for Wigan, who have struggled with injuries to key midfielders Matt Smith, Tyrese Francois, and Baba Adeeko.
Wigan’s Transfer Setback
Currently sitting 16th in League One, Wigan have struggled for consistency, with just a nine-point cushion above the relegation zone. They had hoped Wiredu’s arrival would provide much-needed depth and leadership.
Instead, the Latics will have to rely on recent loan signing Ollie Norburn from Blackpool and young academy graduate Harry McHugh for midfield reinforcement.
Wiredu’s Career Journey
Wiredu began his career at Charlton Athletic, making his debut in 2018 before enjoying loan spells at Bromley and Colchester United.
He joined Colchester permanently in 2021, scoring his first professional goal in a 2-2 draw with Tranmere Rovers. A year later, he moved to Fleetwood Town on a three-year deal, where he established himself as club captain.
Writer’s View
This failed move is a significant blow for Wigan, who are running out of time to find a midfield replacement. Wiredu’s versatility and leadership would have been invaluable, but attention must now turn to identifying an alternative before the transfer deadline. Meanwhile, Fleetwood retain their captain, though whether he features prominently for the remainder of the season remains to be seen.
