Wigan Athletic are willing to let midfielder Tobias Brenan leave on loan, with multiple League Two sides interested in a deal.
The Latics have had a middling season in League One, but could still be pulled into a relegation scrap with three points separating Ryan Lowe’s team from 21st-placed Plymouth Argyle.
Development Time Wanted
According to Football Insider’s Peter O’Rourke, Wigan are open to loaning out 19-year-old Tobias Brenan after emerging as a first-team option at the Brick Community Stadium.
It has been a breakout campaign for the former Oxford United academy player and has played the first ten games of his senior career this season, primarily in cup competitions. Lowe has handed him four starts in League One, most recently against Burton Albion at the end of December.
O’Rourke’s report states that ‘a number of League Two clubs’ are targeting a move for Brenan this month, with the defensive midfielder in the first of a three-year contract with Wigan.
Athletic are wanting to give the former U’s youth captain regular game time, which is available at multiple fourth-tier clubs looking for new options in the middle of the pitch.
Jensen Weir and Tyrese Francois have turned out to be Lowe’s preferred partnership in the middle of the pitch over the past week, with Matt Smith set to come back from suspension following his red card dismissal against Bradford City.
Potential Destinations For Brenan
There are a wide variety of clubs which could use a defensive midfielder in League Two this window, with Wigan Athletic seemingly having a number of choices to pick from to send their hot prospect.
Oldham Athletic are targeting a few January additions, and have recently loaned out Harry Charsley out to Truro City since the opening of the window, meaning that Mickey Mellon’s side now have a vacancy to support Ryan Woods.
Gillingham are also looking to revitalise their squad amid a slump in form, with Gareth Ainsworth admitting his current squad of players need to take their chances or could face rotation.
Newport County have seemingly lost star youngster Sammy Braybrooke, with Leicestershire Live reporting that the Foxes will recall the defensive midfielder, freeing up a loan spot and a starting position, which perhaps Brenan can fill.
No matter where he goes, a loan move will be crucial to his development going forward, as his current position at Wigan has been as an emergency backup so far this campaign.