Latics chief keeping quiet over move for former striker Grigg
Wigan Athletic chief executive Mal Brannigan has remained coy on rumours linking Sunderland striker Will Grigg with a return to the North West.
The striker has fallen down the pecking order at the Stadium of Light and could leave this summer, just more than two years after his highprofile move to Wearside.
Grigg spent the second half of the 2020/21 season on loan at MK Dons, scoring eight times in 20 appearances.
And while Russell Martin’s side are believed to be keen on a permanent deal, national reports have linked Grigg with a return to former side Wigan Athletic.
The Latics are spending big this summer and have already recruited former Sunderland man Max Power.
However, when quizzed on a potential move for Grigg, the club’s chief executive offered a straight response.
“There will always be speculation about Grigg,” said Brannigan, speaking to Wigan Today.
“And as long as he’s putting on his boots, he’ll always be associated with this football club – for what he did on and off the pitch.
“Again, though, the stories out there are speculative and we prefer to talk about deals we have already done.”
Sunderland spent £3 million to bring Grigg to the Stadium of Light and, while they are unlikely to recoup that sum, could ask for a fee if
Grigg is to depart during the current window.
And Brannigan says Wigan will consider ‘anything and everything’ in a financial sense as they look to build a strong squad.
“If the right player were to come along, within the parameters we’ve set for me to operate the organisation, we would look at anything and everything,” he said.
“There have been reports (of player interest), but we have to treat that at the moment as speculation.
“We must prefer to talk about deals we have done, rather than deals that might happen down the line.”
When quizzed recently on his future, Grigg hinted that a return to Wigan may appeal.
“That was the hardest decision of my life,” the 29-year-old Northern Ireland international told German outlet Spox. “I didn't intend to move, but when Wigan accepted Sunderland's offer, I agreed.
“Wigan will forever be my heart club. Maybe I'll go back someday.”