Will Grigg of Wigan Atheltic has emerged as a top transfer target for Sunderland this month. After the departure of Josh Maja, it is imperative for Jack Ross to add a striker at the Stadium of Light and the Latics man is firmly on the club’s radar. However, Wigan manager Paul Cook recently gave an interview and made it clear that they aren’t going to let the striker go easily.
Cook confirmed that Wigan have rejected four bids for the striker. He was quoted as saying (The Chronicle), ”The fact we’ve rebuffed four bids, you can clearly see our intent is not to sell players.”
The report adds that a fifth bid is likely to be on the cards from the League One outfit. Ross had earlier indicated (Sunderland Echo) that he would like to see a goal poacher like Grigg come to the Tyneside.
The Black Cats are currently sitting on the third spot and are in with a bright chance to move to the Championship via a direct promotion spot. However, they have been dealt a body blow after Maja went on to join French outfit, Bordeaux.
The young striker was undoubtedly the best goal scorer Ross had at his disposal, and with few days remaining in the transfer window, we expect the Scottish manager to come up with a new bid for Grigg even though Wigan have now rebuffed four bids.
Grigg has struggled for game time this season and has started just ten games in the Championship. However, he still has managed to find himself on the goal scoring chart as he has four goals to his name. Currently, the Northern Irish international is struggling with an injury, but the good news is that the 27-year-old is not going to be out for a lengthy period of time as it was initially feared.
The forward’s greatest asset is his goal-scoring instincts in and around the box. Grigg comes alive in the final third and his intelligent movement allows him to find space. To go with that, he has decent finishing skills and shows excellent composure when faced with a one on one situation with the goalkeeper.
Someone like Grigg might not be perfect like for like replacement for Maja as the Northern Irish international doesn’t have the ability to create something out of nothing. However, if the team provides him good enough services, the forward would find the back of the net regularly.
With over 250 appearances in the League One, Ross is going to get an experienced and a proven goalscorer at this level and it is no surprise to us that the club is expected to come back with yet another bid for the Wigan striker.
