Wigan Athletic have beaten Rangers to the signing of Fleetwood Town striker Devante Cole, according to a reliable journalist.
ESPN FC and Football Insider correspondent Pete O’Rourke reported on his personal Twitter account at 9pm on deadline day that the League One promotion hopefuls have edged out the Glasgow giants in the race for the 22-year-old centre-forward.
Wigan Athletic have won the race for Fleetwood Town forward Devante Cole. #wafc #FTFC #codarmy #rangersfc #DeadlineDay
— Pete O’Rourke (@SportsPeteO) January 31, 2018
It comes after Football Insider claim the Glasgow giants have firmed up their long-standing interest in Cole with a last-ditch formal offer.
However, it does not appear to have been successful and the Manchester City academy product, son of former England international Andrew, is set to switch to another third-tier outfit.
Cole has scored 12 goals for League One club Fleetwood this season, with 10 of them coming in league matches.
OPINION
Cole has established himself as one of the best young strikers in League One and he would have been a fine capture as he is out of contract in the summer and has been available this month for a cut-price fee. Rangers badly need a centre-forward who can scored 25-plus goals a season. Cole is not that man, yet, but he could be an able back-up amid growing doubts about the future of first choice spearhead Alfredo Morelos beyond this summer.