Wigan Athletic striker Kyle Joseph stayed with the Latics on deadline day despite interest from Rangers and multiple other clubs because of an injury, according to Sun journalist Alan Nixon.
Joseph broke into the Wigan first team earlier this season and has scored five times in 14 League One appearances, with three of his strikes coming in a remarkable 4-3 win at Burton Albion in December.
Apparently impressed by his displays, Rangers were linked with a pre-contract move for the 19-year-old striker in early January [Sun on Sunday via Glasgow Live], but a number of other teams were also said to be interested in his signature.
Tottenham and Blackpool were linked in the same report, while Celtic and Sheffield United were also both credited with interest by the Mirror and, last week, Nixon claimed that Barnsley had offered £500k.
Despite all the reported interest, though, the transfer window slammed shut with Joseph still a Wigan player.
According to Nixon, no transfer materialised because the young forward recently picked up an injury.
He last turned out for the Latics in a 5-0 home defeat to Blackpool on Friday night, but he was subbed off after 70 minutes and it appears that he may have sustained a knock during the game.
No update was provided on Joseph’s condition in Wigan’s official preview for their trip to Swindon Town on Wednesday night [Wiganathletic.com], but it seems unlikely that he will feature in the game.
The teenager’s exit is only likely to be delayed by a matter of months, though, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.
Once he returns to action, it’ll be interesting to see whether or not Rangers keep an eye on him with a view to making a move in the summer.
Joseph wasn’t the only exciting EFL player the Gers were linked with during the January window, but one of their reported targets has reportedly signed a pre-contract deal with a Premier League giant.
