Wigan Athletic chief responds to Will Grigg rumours as he makes summer transfer spending claim

The striker has fallen down the pecking order at Sunderland and could leave this summer, just over two years after his high-profile move to Wearside.

Grigg spent the second half of the 2020/21 season on loan at MK Dons, scoring eight times in his 20 appearances at Stadium MK.

And while Russell Martin’s side are believed to be keen on striking a permanent deal, so too have national reports linked Grigg with a return to former side Wigan Athletic.

The Latics are spending big this summer and have already recruited former Sunderland man Max Power.

But when quizzed on a potential move for Grigg, the club’s chief executive offered a straight response.

“There will always be speculation about Will Grigg ” said Brannigan, speaking to Wigan Today.

“And as long as he’s putting on his boots, he’ll always be associated with this football club – for what he did on and off the pitch.

“Again, though, the stories that are out there are speculative, and we must prefer to talk about deals we have already done.”

Sunderland spent £3million to bring Grigg to the Stadium of Light and, while they are unlikely to recoup that sum, could ask for a fee if Grigg is to depart during the current window.

And Brannigan says Wigan will consider ‘anything and everything’ in a financial sense as they look to build a strong squad.

"If the right player were to come along, within the parameters we’ve set for me to operate the organisation, we would look at anything and everything,” he added.

“There have been reports (of player interest), but we have to treat that at the moment as speculation.

"We must prefer to talk about deals we have done, rather than deals that might happen down the line.”

When quizzed recently on his future, Grigg hinted that a return to Wigan may appeal.

"That was the hardest decision of my life,” he told German outlet Spox.

"I didn't intend to move, but when Wigan accepted Sunderland's offer, I agreed.

"Wigan will forever be my heart club. Maybe I'll come back someday.”

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