Wigan would get best end of swap deal for Fulham striker

There is a strong possibility that Wigan will lose their all-time top Premier League goalscorer before the end of the transfer window, but swapping Hugo Rodallega for Andy Johnson may prove an inspired move to securing their Premier League survival.

Speculation has been growing that Rodallega is keen to test himself away from Wigan and interest has been rife from a host of Premier League clubs.

Arsenal and QPR are among the clubs thought to be preparing a bid and with the Colombian forward out of contract in the summer, there is a strong possibility that he could be snapped up for less than his touted market value.

However, it is another London club in Fulham who have made the first move and given Wigan an offer that it appears hard to refuse.

Martin Jol has reportedly offered £3m and striker Andy Johnson for Rodallega, which effectively is a £7m offer for a player who could walk away for nothing in six months.

It is doubtful as to whether Arsenal or QPR would stretch to this level to lure Rodallega and so the big decision now is whether Johnson can be persuaded that he has a bright future at Wigan.

Johnson will be reluctant to ply his trade in the Championship again after spells at Birmingham and Crystal Palace and it is hard not to tip Wigan as prime relegation candidates in the current campaign.

Wigan’s odds are currently 1/4 to be relegated and they are bottom of the Premier League.

But they are only four points from safety and supporters should remember that they were in a similar position last season before surviving on the final day of the campaign.

When fully fit, Johnson is a proven Premier League goalscorer and this is something that Wigan have been lacking ever since they were promoted to the top flight in 2005.