Wigan’s transfer embargo and how it could impact Graeme Shinnie Aberdeen return

Aberdeen’s chances of securing Graeme Shinnie’s signature have been made slightly more awkward after Wigan Athletic were given a transfer ban by the English Football League.

The Latics, who were relegated back to EFL League One last month, have already been given an eight point deduction ahead of next season, having failed to pay their players on no less than five occasions during the 2022-23 campaign.

Soft drinks entrepreneur Sarbjot Johal is currently in the process of trying to buy the club but Wigan have now been told that they will be unable to sign any players in the summer transfer window after breaking regulation 17 in the EFL handbook.

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That ruling says that clubs will have a transfer embargo placed if they either fail to pay due tax and/or National Insurance on wages to staff, or fail to report any late payments to the league’s governing body.

A new rule announced on Thursday stated that clubs who accumulate 30 days of late payments over a 12-month period will face a transfer embargo for three consecutive transfer windows but it remains to be seen whether this will apply to Wigan.

Either way, this latest development that has shuddered the Lancashire club could have an impact on Barry Robson and the Dons’ chances of bringing influential midfielder Shinnie back to the north-east on a permanent basis.

The former skipper returned to Aberdeen on a loan deal back in January for the remainder of the season, with previous Reds boss Jim Goodwin acting quickly to snap up the 31-year old.

Goodwin was soon dismissed following a torrid run of results but Shinnie’s immediate impact on the team was key, as Goodwin’s successor Robson handed him the captain’s armband and began to get a tune out of a group of underperforming players.

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Ex-Scotland international Shinnie was a vital cog in a Dons side that would win seven Premiership games in a row between Februrary and April, although Shinnie would miss two of those games after being sent off twice against St Johnstone and Ross County.

The latter dismissal saw him smacked with a four game ban that would mean he would miss over half of his side’s post-split fixtures. Shinnie returned in the nick of time to help Aberdeen complete their remarkable transformation and clinch third place in the table with a game to spare.

The combative midfielder bagged his first two goals in his second spell at Pittodrie with an effort in either half against St Mirren, as the Reds guaranteed themselves a spot in European group stage football next season with a comprehensive 3-0 victory.

After the game, Shinnie made no secret of his desire to return to Aberdeen on a full-time basis, but also admitted that it may depend on his parent club Wigan.

Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph states that the Dons are keen to offer the player a three-year contract in the Granite City, but just how they go about trying to sign the player is yet to be determined.

Shinnie still has 12 months remaining on his contract at the DW Stadium, having only joined the club from Derby County in January 2022.

However, due to the fact that he has not been paid wages by the club, the former Dyce Boys Club prodigy could be entitled to tear up the final year of his contract but that would mean forfeiting the salary he is owed in the next 12 months.

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Although they are currently unable to sign any new players, Wigan’ desperate financial situation also could mean that the Dons could agree a deal to buy out Shinnie’s contract in Lancashire, or land him on a permanent transfer for a cut price fee.

The landscape of any potential move will continue to change as the weeks and months go on, but it is likely that one way or another, Shinnie will return to Aberdeen next season to help spearhead their European adventure.

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