Sources: Wigan Athletic in pole position to sign Crewe star Mandron
Wigan Athletic are favourites to sign Crewe Alexandra striker Mikael Mandron in January, Football Insider understands.
The 6ft 3in hit-man, 27, has been targeted by the Latics as the ideal replacement for sidelined striker Charlie Wyke.
A recruitment source has told Football Insider that Wigan are in pole position to land Mandron, who is out of contract at Crewe in the summer.
The French striker has scored seven goals in 27 appearances in all competitions this season.
Mandron netted two in his last appearance against Lincoln, which was watched by a number of clubs – including interested foreign sides.
The 27-year-old signed a one-year contract extension back in February, six months after joining Crewe.
The Frenchman scored 14 goals in 45 games last season after joining the Cheshire side from Gillingham.
Mandron has also enjoyed spells at Colchester and Sunderland, as well as a short-lived period with interested club Wigan.
The Latics signed him from Eastleigh in January 2017 – before shipping him out to the U’s in the summer window after just three Championship appearances.
The striker attended the famous Clairefontaine Academy in France, whose alumni includes Thierry Henry and Nicolas Anelka.
On the international stage, Mandron is eligible for Scotland, England, and France.
He received a call up to represent Scotland’s under-20 side in 2013.
Wigan are searching for proven League One firepower to boost their promotion chances.
The hitman has netted 21 goals in 86 games in England’s third tier.
The Greater Manchester club sit two points outside the automatic promotion berths with two games in hand.
Leam Richardson’s side face Oldham Athletic on Tuesday (4 January) in the EFL Trophy.
In other news, Sunderland, Preston & Wigan Athletic race to sign 26-goal striker