Celtic and Rangers locked in battle for Wigan Athletic midfielder

20 January 2019

1 minute read

Celtic and Rangers are battling it out for Wigan Athletic midfielder Nick Powell, according to the Scottish Sun.

The 24-year-old is out of contract with the Latics at the end of the season. Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion as well as Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig are also keen on him.

Powell has impressed for Wigan since re-signing for them in July 2016. He has since played 76 games for the Latics, scoring 25 goals. He was a key player in their League One title winning season of 2017 under Paul Cook.

The Cheshire-born midfielder started his career at local side Crewe Alexandra and rose through the youth ranks with the Railwaymen. Powell broke into their first-team when he was 18 years-old and scored 16 goals in the 2011/12, which earned him a £6 million move to Manchester United.

Powell’s time at United was plagued by injuries but he did score on his debut at Old Trafford against Wigan in September 2012. He went onto play just nine times for the Red Devils and was loaned out to the Latics, Leicester City and Hull City before returning to the DW Stadium on a permanent deal.

Celtic are looking to retain their dominance in Scotland and have identified Powell as a target to help them do so. Their bitter rivals Rangers are also keen on him so it is set to be an intriguing battle for him.

Steven Gerrard’s side could be an interesting proposition for Powell based on the ambitious signings they have made recently in Jermaine Defoe and Steven Davis.