Shrews move for Weso

Reporter: MATTHEW CHAMBERS
Date published: 06 June 2014


JAMES Wesolowski could be on his way to Shrewsbury Town.

Athletic have accepted defeat in trying to persuade the runaway player of the year to re-sign and the Shrews — relegated to Sky Bet League Two — have emerged as strong contenders for his signature.

Though on the surface dropping a division might seem a surprising move for Wesolowski (26), Athletic believe the club’s offer was fair and Shrewsbury are simply offering more. Shrewsbury are also said to be looking at striker Charlie MacDonald, released by Athletic at the end of the season.

Manager Lee Johnson has targets to replace the hard-working midfielder.

“Weso is world-class at shutting down, which drove us on at times,” Johnson said. “At other times, he wasn’t quite as good on the ball as he could have been, though he did improve in that regard. We might look for someone who can offer a different dynamic.”

Johnson believes patience will prove a virtue for the signings he wants. He hopes to seal a deal for a new player on Monday but believes the real value in the market will materialise later, so is hanging on to a chunk of the club’s budget for now.

“There really is no need to panic at the moment,” said Johnson. “I’m keen to leave room to get that one difference-maker, a player of quality who suddenly comes out of the woodwork.”