We need to 'unblock' this Wigan Athletic mess now, urges Lisa Nandy

It’s now exactly NINE WEEKS since the administrators accepted an offer from the Spanish bidders, who were granted exclusivity after placing down a ‘substantial’ deposit.

However, after repeated meetings and continuing dialogue with the EFL, they have still to satisfy the necessary criteria to be given the green light.

In the meantime, the team is rooted to the foot of League One, out of all three domestic cup competitions – and in need of urgent reinforcements in the January transfer window to avoid another relegation.

Whether that will be under Spanish ownership remains to be seen, with a couple of alternative bidders remaining in the background, waiting for the chance to persuade the EFL they are more suitable.

One of them, involving Darren Royle and former Manchester City defender Ray Ranson, is understood to be backed by super-rich Jonathan Rowland – a close friend of Prince Andrew, no less.

And Ms Nandy is adamant – contrary to the belief of some – that the Spanish bid is not all or nothing as far as saving the club is concerned.

“We’ve been in constant daily discussions with the EFL, the administrators, the Spanish consortium and the potential alternative bidders to try to find a way of unblocking this,” she said.

“I understand the EFL are still working their way around the information provided by the Spanish bid.

“They’re very, very keen to make sure they do the necessary due diligence on that bid.

“And in my view that is absolutely right, given the experience of clubs like Bury.

“We do not want to be in a situation like this in a year’s time, so we have to make sure we get this right.

“And I have been given assurances at all levels by all parties that at no point will this club be allowed to fail in the meantime.

“The Premier League has been very, very clear that no club will collapse during the pandemic, and we will certainly hold them to that promise.”

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