Wigan Athletic are closing in on a potential deal for Birmingham City defender Dion Sanderson, with Football League World reporting that the Latics are now leading the race for the 25-year-old’s signature.
The former Wolverhampton Wanderers man appears surplus to requirements at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park following a raft of defensive arrivals under Chris Davies, and Wigan are aiming to take advantage.
Sanderson Surplus to Requirements in the Championship
Despite Birmingham City’s high-profile return to the Championship, achieved in record-breaking fashion with 111 points last season, Sanderson has seen himself fall down the pecking order. The club’s ownership group, Knighthead, has heavily invested again this summer, bolstering Davies’ backline with the likes of Phil Neumann from Hannover and Brighton loanee Eiran Cashin, while Christoph Klarer remains an option and Rangers’ Ben Davies is also being monitored.
It’s a situation that leaves Sanderson needing a fresh start. After a frustrating loan spell at Blackburn Rovers last season under then-manager John Eustace, who had previously brought him to Birmingham, his future in the West Midlands looks increasingly uncertain.
Wigan Looking to Capitalise
Ryan Lowe’s Wigan have already made several ambitious moves this summer, including bringing in Dara Costelloe and Paul Mullin, and Sanderson could be the next key piece of their promotion-chasing puzzle.
Lowe has made it clear that he’s not only targeting proven talent, but also players with something to prove, and Sanderson fits the bill. While Derby County and overseas clubs had been linked, it is Wigan who are now understood to be in pole position.
If the move is completed, it could prove a timely boost to the Latics, who are aiming to mount a serious challenge in what looks set to be a tightly contested League One season.
A Career Needing a Reboot
Sanderson joined Birmingham permanently in 2023 after two successful loan stints. But despite initial optimism around the deal, the defender has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter.
His loan spell at Blackburn in the second half of last season failed to reignite his form, and a combination of injuries and tactical changes have seen him fall out of favour. With competition for places fierce at Birmingham, and more defensive incomings expected, a move away now looks inevitable.
Sanderson has plenty of experience across the EFL, including previous spells with Cardiff City, Sunderland, QPR, and of course Birmingham themselves. At just 25, he still has time to rebuild his career — and Wigan could offer him the platform to do exactly that.
Wigan Continue Ambitious Rebuild
Wigan’s intent this summer has been clear. Lowe is reshaping his squad with a mix of hungry, experienced professionals and players looking for a career resurgence. In that context, Sanderson represents both a sensible and high-upside target.
The Latics are aiming to compete at the top end of League One this season, and securing a defender of Sanderson’s calibre, should a deal be completed, would be another signal of those ambitions.
From Birmingham’s perspective, the move also fits. Davies has overseen a major squad refresh as he prepares for the rigours of the Championship and knows some tough decisions must be made. Sanderson, now on the fringes, looks likely to be one of them.
Site Opinion
This potential move ticks a lot of boxes for Wigan. Dion Sanderson might not have had the breakout campaign many expected last season, but he remains a capable, athletic defender with proven quality at League One level and above. If Lowe can unlock his best form, this could prove to be one of the savviest signings of the summer.
There’s an argument that Sanderson still has Championship-level attributes, good pace, versatility, and aerial presence, but simply needs the right environment to reset and thrive. Under a manager like Lowe, at a club that’s clearly backing itself this season, Wigan could well be that environment.
Birmingham’s gain last year may now be Wigan’s opportunity. As Davies continues to build for the Championship, the Latics are quietly assembling a squad that’s capable of doing some damage in League One. Adding Sanderson could be a major step forward in that plan.
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