League One rivals take transfer action on Birmingham City and Preston North End linked star

Wigan Athletic have dealt Birmingham City and other clubs a blow by extending the contract of one of their most coveted players.

Sam Tickle was reportedly of interest to Blues as well as Preston North End and Sunderland in the winter transfer window. Birmingham had been in the market for a goalkeeper with there being worries over an injury to John Ruddy.

The 22-year-old is regarded by Shaun Maloney as the best goalkeeper outside of the Premier League and now the Latics have made a statement of intent by signing him to a new deal. Tickle is now under contract until the summer of 2028, signing a four-year deal and that will for sure raise the price for the talented young shot stopper.

“His attitude - both on and off the field - has been exemplary," manager Shaun Maloney said after the England under-21 signed a new contract.

“Sam is an outstanding young talent and we’re looking forward to working with him over the next few years to help continue his development."

Tickle kept an impressive 18 clean sheets in 52 games last season. He was ranked sixth in the division with every other goalkeeper playing for a club higher than Wigan in the table.

Birmingham City’s first-choice goalkeeper Ruddy ended up missing a couple of games in early February but returned and remained the first choice for the remainder of the season. The 37-year-old - ranked the best goalkeeper in the league by WhoScored - was offered a new contract by the club last week as they look to keep hold of several players for the next manager.

The former Norwich City goalkeeper was offered new terms albeit with a 'significant pay cut' according to The Sun’s EFL journalist Alan Nixon. He is the only senior goalkeeper currently at the club after they decided to let Neil Etheridge depart St Andrew’s.