Exclusive: Wigan Athletic plotting move for Stoke City player | OneFootball

Wigan Athletic and Ryan Lowe are eyeing former Plymouth Argyle man, Niall Ennis.

Wigan Athletic are plotting a move to sign Niall Ennis from Stoke City this summer, sources have exclusively revealed to Football League World ahead of the 2024/25 season's conclusion.

Ennis, 25, has been on loan with Blackpool from Stoke during the second-half of the season and has impressed in League One under Steve Bruce.

Now, Wigan and Ryan Lowe are exploring the possibility of signing the striker ahead of 2025/26.

Wigan eyeing Niall Ennis

Sources have told Football League World that Wigan are turning their attention to securing a deal for Ennis this summer, having been impressed by the forward's form on loan with divisional rivals Blackpool.

Ennis has scored six goals and registered one assist in 14 League One appearances for the Tangerines since they secured his services in the January transfer window on a temporary basis.

Lowe, who currently manages 17th-placed Wigan in League One, is looking ahead to the 2025/26 season and aiming to get his recruitment in order for what will be his first full campaign in charge of the Latics.

Wigan are currently five points clear of the League One relegation zone with four games left to play this season.

Ennis' ups and downs

Ennis' career began with Wolves, and he had loan spells with Shrewsbury Town, Doncaster Rovers and Burton Albion, before finding a home in the form of Plymouth Argyle, where he worked with Lowe.

In 97 appearances at Home Park, he scored 24 goals and registered 12 assists, including 12 in 38 appearances during the 2022/23 season when Plymouth won the League One title.

An unsuccessful stint at Blackburn Rovers followed, which then led Ennis to Stoke's door in 2024, where he reunited with another former Plymouth manager in Steven Schumacher. However, he's played only 26 times for the Potters and scored twice.

The 25-year-old made nine appearances during the first-half of the 2024/25 season, before Stoke sanctioned a loan to Blackpool, where 12 of his 14 League One appearances have come in the starting XI.

Lowe factor could play a big role in Ennis saga

The fact it is now Lowe in charge of Wigan in League One surely heightens the chance of the Latics landing Ennis' service this summer.

Although Plymouth's League One promotion came under Schumacher, Ennis did work with Lowe at Home Park and would surely relish the opportunity to get onboard his project at Wigan.

League One seems to be Ennis' level at this stage, with the goal flowing freely for the striker when compared to the Championship.

Lowe clearly recognises that and is looking to make inroads ahead of the window opening.