Liverpool debutant set for summer transfer as Newcastle United decision made

Kelland Watts is facing an uncertain future with his contract at Newcastle United set to expire this summer.

The 24-year-old has spent the remaining months of his deal on loan at League One side Wigan Athletic, however the switch hasn't gone as planned with Watts left out of the previous 13 matchday squads.

Watts has made 19 appearances this campaign, none of which have arrived in 2024 - something of a mystery to Wigan fans.

Latics boss Shaun Maloney last mentioned the centre-back in mid February and said: "We've also got Kell Watts in there, and he's training well, he's a brilliant professional, a good person. That's exactly what we need, that competition for places, and it gives us plenty of options in that department."

Watts re-joined Wigan last summer having previously won promotion from the third-tier with the club in 2021-22.

The Alnwick-born defender progressed through the Magpies academy before making a solitary senior appearance in a 3-1 home defeat against Liverpool on the final day of the 2019-20 season.

Watts has still managed to rack up over a century of first-team appearances after enjoying productive loan spells with the likes of Stevenage, Mansfield Town, and Plymouth Argyle. Last season he was on loan at Peterborough United but injury restricted him to just 11 appearances.

After moving back to the DW Stadium, Watts was tipped to be a big success and therefore win a permanent contract, however looks set to move elsewhere if his game time doesn't improve.

Speaking about his return to Wigan in August, Watts said: When it first came about, it was something that I was really looking forward to doing. The last time I was here, it felt like home, so it’s nice to be back home! Last time I was here, I created memories that will last my whole career, and I’m wanting to make more memories in a Wigan shirt now.”