Newcastle are preparing to offer academy graduate Dan Barlaser a new contract as Wigan Athletic are readying a bid to take the 22-year-old on loan next season, according to the Chronicle.
The Championship outfit struggled massively for any consistency last season on route to an 18th place finish, salvaged somewhat by a late end of season splurge that saw Paul Cook’s men avoid defeat in their last five games.
In the hopes of a better campaign come August, Cook is thought to be keen on adding Barlaser to his options, having been impressed by the style of play the former Turkey youth international has been displaying while on loan in League One with Accrington Stanley.
Wigan have regularly kept tabs on the 6ft central midfielder’s efforts at the Crown Ground, where Barlaser was involved in two goals (one scored, one assisted) and featured in 39 games – the Gateshead-born prospect was included in John Coleman’s starting XI 80% of the time.
Barlaser also featured in four FA Cup ties, two EFL trophy encounters and three games in the Premier League 2 this season just gone, where he added to his goal involvement tally with a further two goals and one assist – his strike against Colchester United secured Accrington’s progression to the Second Round of the FA Cup.
Wigan are not the only side interested in taking Barlaser on loan next season, either, as the Chronicle add that Preston North End are also keen, but that it is the Latics who are preparing to make a move.
Before United sanction the 22-year-old’s departure on loan for the third time in the last year-and-a-half, though, the club are intent on tying him down to a new contract as his current deal is due to expire in the summer of 2020.
The board are happy to allow Barlaser to move out on loan next season to a Championship side once an agreement is reached as they are keen to see how he fares in a higher division, having joined a League One side through his eagerness for first-team football on the back of a short stint with Crewe Alexandra at the start of 2018.