'If offers are higher elsewhere, so be it' - Wigan CEO on losing Evans to Ipswich

The Blues have signed the 26-year-old Welshman on a three-year contract, reuniting manager Paul Cook with a midfielder who served him well during his time in charge of the Latics.

Wigan had offered Evans a new deal at the club, but the player ultimately opted to move, and had similarly hoped to keep defender George Johnston only to see him join Bolton recently.

Evans, pictured during his Wigan days (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

While acknowledging players can often leave in search of a new challenge, Brannigan insisted finance may have played a part.

“Our offers were at the level we were happy with,” he explained, in an interview with the Wigan Post.

“Beyond that, if the offers are higher elsewhere, then so be it.

“Sometimes players move because they want to seek a different challenge, at a different point in their career.

Wigan Athletic chief executive Mal Brannigan (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

“In terms of those two players (Evans and Johnston), and maybe others, that can happen.

“But there is a reason for that, and sometimes that reason is not always within our control.”

Wigan have already moved to keep former Ipswich striker Will Keane this summer, with the forward signing a new deal, while they have also signed winger Gwion Edwards at the end of his Town contract.

As well as signing Portsmouth duo Jack Whatmough and Tom Naylor, the Latics have also added Jordan Cousins and Max Power to their ranks after they left Stoke and Sunderland respectively.

It's understood Power was a player discussed by and of early interest to Cook, but the signing of Evans was always a much higher priority and the move for Power was not taken any further.