Gary Caldwell outlines Wigan Athletic recruitment drive with more signings targeted

Wigan Athletic boss Gary Caldwell believes the club will make further additions before the summer transfer window closes as he continues to shape his squad for the new League One season.

Latics have already recruited eight new players ahead of the 2026/27 campaign, but Caldwell believes more new faces will arrive before the transfer deadline on September 1.

Wigan have brought in Max Power, Connor Barrett, Sonny Perkins, Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen, Akeel Higgins, Hindolo Mustapha, Joe Walsh and Ryan Trevitt this summer following the departures of a number of senior players.

Caldwell has been pleased with the club’s business so far and says there is a clear strategy behind the recruitment.

“I do, I think there’s still more to come,” Caldwell told Wigan Today when asked if he envisages the club making further signings this summer.

“But again, (we’ve made) eight signings, the second highest (number of signings) in the league, we’ve been extremely busy, and we’ve made good business on our part.

“It’s been clear what we’re looking for. We’re looking for young, hungry players who we feel are capable of playing in League One now and also developing and getting better in the future, so there is a clear strategy.

“There are still players to come into the team to help the group that we’ve got, but I think what we’ve done so far has been very good and we have to continue that right up to the last day of the window.”

While Caldwell would not be drawn on specific targets, he admitted there are still several areas of the squad he would like to strengthen.

“All over really,” he replied when asked what positions he is looking to bolster.

“I think the clarity, as you go through the window, when you need so many players, you just want to bring good players in at the beginning.

“I think as you go through the window and you see the team starting to come together, I think there is more clarity on the type of player that we need.

“I still think we need speed higher up the pitch. I still think we need a defender to add to the competition at the back and to add to the way we want to play, and then we need other players throughout the team to bring competition.

“The clarity we have between myself, Joe (Riley, head of recruitment), Graham (Barrow, senior advisor), Malcom (Crosby, chief scout) and the type of player that we’re looking for is there.

“The hard bit is getting the price that’s right to bring them in the building, to get the agent happy, the club happy, the player happy, is a nightmare, so we’ll keep working on that. I’m glad it’s not my job, it’s Joe’s job... I’ll just deal with the football, speak to the players and sell them the football project. Joe can do the other bit, it’s hard work!”

Latics begin their competitive campaign on Saturday, August 8, with a trip to fellow League One side Barnsley in the Carabao Cup first round.