Liverpool youngster James Balagizi is reportedly set to join Wigan Athletic on loan, with the midfielder to spend the season with the League One side.
According to journalist Neil Jones, the 19-year-old prospect is close to signing with the Latics for the year on a season-long loan deal, with Balagizi spending half of last year with League Two side Crawley Town before returning to Liverpool due to injury.
An England youth international for the U-20s, Balagizi won praise at Crawley before injury cut his injury short, with then-manager Kevin Betsy lauding the Manchester-born prospect as a ‘quality’ player after scoring in a surprise League Cup win against Premier League side Fulham.
Indeed, Balagizi will be ready to show his quality yet again having had his season curtailed last year, and Wigan could be an ideal destination for the 19-year-old midfielder, who will want to take his game to new levels under Shaun Maloney.
Balagizi could become a star for Wigan next season
Having finished bottom of the Championship last season, Wigan will want to come back with a vengeance this season in League One And for Balagizi, the midfielder could establish himself as a superstar at the DW Stadium if he can stay fully fit.
As we know, Balagizi was highly rated at Crawley last season despite leaving the club early. And at Wigan, the teenager will want to prove himself yet again that he has the quality to make a name for himself in the professional game, with League One a great fit for the youngster.
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