Liverpool winger Sheyi Ojo close to completing loan move to Wigan Athletic

Liverpool winger Sheyi Ojo is reportedly close to completing a loan deal to Wigan Athletic for the rest of the season.

According to the Liverpool Echo, Brendan Rodgers feels regular first-team football will help in the development of the young winger and it is believed that the Reds are in regular contact with the Championship club over taking the youngster on-loan.

Ojo has been impressive for the Liverpool U21 team and has also been capped at the U18 level for England.

The 17-year-old is a pacey winger, who can either play on the right or left flank. He joined the Reds from MK Dons in 2011, and his impressive performances in the youth teams have caught the eye of the manager and this has seen him being named on the bench for Liverpool's Premier League games against Leicester City and Burnley.

The Reds hierarchy believes that a spell in the Championship will be ideal for the player's development, similar to Jordan Ibe, who recently returned from a successful loan spell at promotion chasing Derby County.

The Daily Mail report claims that Wigan manager Malky Mackay watched Ojo in action during Liverpool's 2-1 loss to Manchester United, and is now keen to take him to the DW Stadium for the rest of the season.

The report also suggests that, there are plenty of teams interested in taking the young forward on loan and Liverpool are exploring the options for the player, as they are keen for him to get regular first-team football.

Earlier in the week, the Anfield clubs U21 manager Michael Beale confirmed that various clubs are looking to sign him, but admitted they were assessing the options based on which club can offer him more playing time.