The 22-year-old has attracted plenty of attention over the past six months with his efforts in pushing the Minstermen into National League promotion contention alongside strike partner Ollie Pearce.

New Report Gives Latics Edge

This means that Ryan Lowe’s side are able to make a bid for their former player should anyone else do the same, marking a potential return for the forward, who played 16 times at the Lancashire club between loans to Oldham and Ross County in the Scottish Premiership.

Signing on a free transfer from non-league side Guiseley, Wigan turned a tidy profit on the forward, moving him on to York for £300,000 in the summer of 2024, and has since turned into a key man for City, scoring 15 goals in 47 appearances.

According to Uggla, Stones has recently signed a new deal in North Yorkshire, meaning that a high price will have to come for any club wishing to sign the 22-year-old, with the Minstermen owner jokingly responding with a £20 million price tag when discussing a transfer.

Nixon also reveals the names of two clubs interested in League One side Barnsley and Edinburgh club Hibernian. The Tykes could easily raise funds for a transfer this window with a £5 million price put on Reyes Cleary’s head amid interest from Blackburn Rovers.

Stones Return Can Revitalise Attack

With first refusal on Josh Stones, Wigan Athletic could make an astute transfer swap this January by returning for their former player while allowing one of their current attacking crop to leave the Brick Community Stadium.

Both Christian Saydee and Dara Costelloe have proven their worth over the past six months following a complete overhaul up front, which has largely left Wrexham loanee Paul Mullin on the outside looking in.

Appearances for the former Cambridge United man have been hard to come by as of late, with his last action for the Latics coming in mid-December against Burton Albion. Ryan Lowe has previously commented on Mullin’s squad omissions, stating that the time will come to look at the loan agreement.

Swapping out the 31-year-old with someone almost a decade younger will surely add more endurance to Wigan’s attacking options, with Stones’ confidence likely being high considering how well York City have performed over the past year.