WIGAN have agreed a deal in principal to be taken over, subject to EFL approval.
The crisis club confirmed on their official website last night that an agreement had been struck with an unnamed buyer.
PAWigan are set to begin next season with an eight-point deduction[/caption]
Shaun Maloney’s side were relegated from the Championship this term amid financial woes.
The Latics were deducted six points during the 2022-23 campaign for failing to pay players – and will begin next term in League One on minus eight points for similar infringements.
In a statement from their current ownership group, Wigan chiefs confirmed: “A deal has been agreed in principle for the sale of Wigan Athletic Football Club to a prospective new buyer – subject to EFL approval.
“The prospective new owners have committed to resolving all outstanding liabilities at the earliest opportunity.
“Further updates on this process will follow in due course.”
Wigan were initially deducted four points for next season, with a further four suspended.
To avoid the further four being deducted, Wigan were required to place 125 per cent of their forecast monthly wage bill into a nominated account by May 24.
They failed to do so, however, citing late payments of international bank transfers.
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Ahead of their latest points deduction, chairman Abdulrahman Al-Jasmi wrote on the club’s website: “I want to confirm that an eight-figure sum is currently being processed and is due to land in the club account imminently. This funding will also ensure financial stability for June and the 2023/24 season.
“It is important to address the numerous late wage payments. As I have previously stated, I recognise this is totally unacceptable. Since Phoenix 2021 acquired Wigan Athletic in 2021, the ownership group will have invested over £30m into the club to date.
“The inflated wage bill resulted in cash flow issues which meant we could not adhere to the Agreed Decision with the EFL in January. However, everything possible was done to ensure wages were paid.
“Delays are a common occurrence with overseas transactions, but that is not and cannot be an excuse for late payments.”
Former Tottenham and England defender Steven Caulker was among six first-team players to be released by Wigan upon the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign.