Wigan Athletic are set to confirm the signing of one of Walsall’s key men, with personal terms now agreed between the player and club, following several clubs reportedly being in the running for the player.
According to Pete O’Rourke via reports on X, Connor Barrett is set to make the switch to Wigan Athletic with the deal now in place. The wing-back has been one of Walsall’s key men since joining from AFC Fylde in 2024, and his time with the Saddlers is more than deserving of League One football in the 2026-27 season.
Now, it looks like the wing-back will get his shot at the third tier as the Tics look to rebuild under Gary Caldwell after a disappointing campaign.
Wigan Athletic Capture Key Signing
The right-sided full-back should slot well into Caldwell’s 3-5-2 set-up, a system he starred in so well throughout his time with the Saddlers.
And this is a signing Wigan Athletic fans should be excited about. Their form following Caldwell’s arrival was encouraging, after looking over their shoulders while strung into the relegation battle earlier in the season. Eventually, they finished seven points ahead of the dotted line with groundwork laid for a better season next time.
Although a huge turnover in playing personnel will be required. Caldwell favours a wing-back set-up, which saw Fraser Murray perform so well – returning five goals and eight assists in League One last year.
The prospect of Barrett and Murray on either flank is exciting, and if they can get a striker to replicate Joe Taylor’s form in 2026, they are in for some exciting line-ups.
A Huge Rebuild For Lee Grant’s Walsall
Barrett was a mainstay in the Walsall line-up as soon as he made his switch to the Bescot. Tallying nine assists in his first season, he was a vital part of Mat Saddler’s 3-5-2 system that saw the Saddlers top the League Two table by quite some margin in the first half of the 2024-25 season.
Adept at both ends of the field, it was always abundantly clear that the progressive full-back would play in a higher division – one way or another.
Now, it looks like he will be moving back to the North West with Wigan Athletic. This is sure to be a huge blow for Lee Grant, leaving the Saddlers with an even greater rebuild job after they were ruthless with their retained list last month.
But a rebuild is deeply necessary. The core of players at Walsall have clearly been talented over the last two years, but their inability to truly rise to their heights has been frustrating for fans.
Some of their released players surprised many, with the likes of Charlie Lakin and Jamie Jellis departing the West Midlands side. Now, they will be coping without their energetic wing-back as Lee Grant looks to turn the Saddlers into firm promotion contenders next season.
