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Wigan retaining their 24-year-old fan favourite amidst Bundesliga interest would be a huge statement

Why Wigan Athletic should retain Nick Powell amidst RB Leipzig interest

According to a report from the Guardian, RB Leipzig are interested in Wigan Athletic star Nick Powell.

The 24-year-old has impressed for Wigan since their return to the second-tier and Paul Cook’s side now face a fight to keep hold of the playmaker, who is out of contract at the end of the season. As Nick Powell is out of contract in the summer, he’ll be eligible to discuss a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club in January.

With Nick Powell attracting interest from Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig, what should Wigan’s next move be?

Of course, Wigan should look to hold onto their star playmaker by offering him a new, improved contract. Nick Powell, 24, came through the youth ranks at Crewe Alexandra before earning a big move to Manchester United in 2012. However, the move never worked out as he failed to establish himself at Old Trafford.

Nick Powell

Powell spent time on loan at Wigan, Leicester City and Hull City before leaving Manchester United permanently in 2016 following the expiry of his contract, joining Wigan on a free transfer.

While he failed to light up DW stadium in his debut season, the 24-year-old fired Wigan to Championship promotion last season as he netted 15 league goals and supplied eight assists. Such was his impact that he was nominated for the League One Player of the Year award.

Now in the Championship, Powell has been the main attacking threat for Wigan and although he is currently out injured, the ex-Manchester United man is the club’s top goalscorer this season with four goals.

Capable of playing as a No.10, secondary striker and as a winger, Powell is a crucial cog in Paul Cook’s side and remains a key for Wigan’s hopes of staying in the Championship this season.

However, Powell is out of contract in the summer of 2019 and Wigan aren’t close to agreeing to a new deal with the playmaker. He is just 24 and has his best years ahead of him but it wouldn’t be the right moment for him to move on from the DW Stadium.

Powell is a fan favourite at Wigan, a tremendous attacking talent that Wigan should do everything in their powers to keep hold of amidst interest from Leipzig.

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As Powell holds the key for the Latics’ survival in the Championship, Cook should not let the playmaker leave the club midway through the campaign, even if it means losing him for absolutely free in the summer of 2019.