Wigan Athletic have been reasonably quiet in the transfer window so far, adding just three new faces to Paul Cook’s squad.
Everton left-back Antonee Robinson joined for a reported fee of £2 million, while Hull City goalkeeper David Marshall and Brentford midfielder Lewis MacLeod arrived on free transfers.
Now the Latics look set to make Chelsea defender Dujon Sterling their fourth signing of the summer.
According to Sky Sports journalist Lyall Thomas, Sterling was expected at the North West club to undergo a medical today ahead of a season-long loan.
The 19-year-old right-back has developed through the academy system at Chelsea, playing twice for the first team and making more than 70 appearances for their youth sides.
It is only eight days until the transfer window slams shut, so time is running out for clubs to make final additions to their squad.
With that in mind, we examine two advantages and two disadvantages to Wigan signing the young defender.
Pros
They have great previous experience with on-loan Chelsea defenders.
Reece James was a fantastic player for Wigan last season. The on-loan defender was a mainstay in the Latics side – playing in all but one of their Championship games and contributing three goals and three assists.
Such were the level of his performances that James won Wigan Athletic’s Player of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year and Goal of the Season awards, as well as being included in the EFL Team of the Season.
If Sterling can have anywhere near the impact that his clubmate had last season, he will be an excellent addition to Cook’s squad.
He looks like a talented young player.
Pressure will be on for Sterling to fill the void left by James but he looks like a talented young player in his own right.
The 19-year-old has developed through the England age-group sides, most recently making his debut for the under-20s in March.
He impressed on loan at Coventry City last season, providing five assists in 40 appearances for the Sky Blues and helping them achieve an eighth-placed finish.
Sterling will likely be determined to prove that he has what it takes to take the next step up in the Championship this season.
Cons
Lack of Championship experience.
For all his great work in League One last season, stepping up to the Championship will be a big test for Sterling.
Other than his two substitute appearances for Chelsea, his performances for Coventry last season are the only senior-level experience he has, so Wigan are hardly bringing in a tried and tested defender.
The 19-year-old will likely be expected to be a regular performer under Cook next season and with the quality of the squads at the top of the Championship, he could be facing some really tough opponents week-in week-out.
James showed last year how beneficial it can be to bring young players in on loan but there is certainly no guarantee of success.
It is only a short term fix.
Loan moves are bitter-sweet because for all the development a young player makes across the season, he will still return to his parent club at the end of it.
That was the case with James last year and will likely be the case with Sterling this year.
The 19-year-old does not arrive the finished product and his experiences with Wigan should help him develop as a player but the Latics will still be left searching for an option at right-back at the end of the season.