Wigan Athletic look set to beat Championship relegation rivals Ipswich Town in the chase for Cardiff City winger Anthony Pilkington.
Reliable journalist Pete O’Rourke tweeted the news this morning, stating that Wigan look set to win the race for Anthony Pilkington.
Wigan look set to beat Ipswich to signing of Cardiff midfielder Anthony Pilkington. #wafc #itfc #cardiffcity
— Pete O'Rourke (@SportsPeteO) January 9, 2019
It seemed set that Pilkington was to join Ipswich Town, reuniting with Paul Lambert. However, the Latics have jumped ahead of the Tractor Boys and are close to completing a deal for the attacker.
Pilkington has fallen way down the pecking order at the Cardiff City Stadium after Neil Warnock’s side won promotion to the Premier League last season, and is nearing a move away from The Bluebirds. He only made 13 appearances in all competitions last season, and Warnock is looking to offload the Irishman.
The versatile attacker brings bags full of Championship experience with him. Pilkington has played 103 games in the Championship during his time with Cardiff, as well as playing 114 League One games with both Stockport County and Huddersfield.
The winger worked his way through the football league ladder, joining then-League One side Stockport from Atherton Colleries. After three years with Stockport, Pilkington joined Huddersfield Town, where he spent a successful two years before signing being brought to Norwich City by now Ipswich manager Paul Lambert.
Pilkington enjoyed a successful spell at Carrow Road, scoring 15 goals in 82 appearances, catching the eye of Cardiff City, where he has gone on to spend three and a half years. In his first two campaigns, Pilkington was a mainstay in the first team, but has fallen out of favour under Neil Warnock.
