Chelsea striker emerges as £3m target for Championship club

Wigan Athletic are reportedly interested in signing former England Under-21 international forward Patrick Bamford this summer, according to The Sun (via Sky Sports – 12:23).

The newly promoted Championship outfit, who lost out 2-1 at Ashton Gate to Bristol City in their 2016/17 campaign opener on Saturday, have been linked with a £3m move for the Chelsea striker.

Bamford in action for Crystal Palace last season – Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

The 22-year-old, who featured twice for the Three Lions’ Under-21 squad, has failed to make a single first-team appearance for the Premier League side following his move from Nottingham Forest back in January 2012 for a reported £1.5m.

Bamford, who only signed a new three-year deal at Stamford Bridge back in July 2015, was loaned to both Crystal Palace and Norwich City last term.

He failed to score in nine appearances for Palace, before trying his luck at Carrow Road in the New Year, where he was also unable to find the back of the net in six games for the Canaries.

Bamford has also enjoyed similar loan spells at Milton Keynes Dons, Derby County and Middlesbrough in the past.