Transfer Watch: Philadelphia Union linked with 23-year-old French forward Andy Delort

Transfer Watch: Andy Delort

It's no secret that the Philadelphia Union are in the market for a marquee forward and reports in England say they may be tracking a 23-year-old French striker currently at English side Wigan Athletic.


According to a Sky Sports compilation of transfer news in the English papers, "Wigan striker Andy Delort has been allowed to start talks with MLS side Philadelphia Union."


Reports in England have recently indicated that Delort has had a tough time settling in at second-division Wigan -- he has just 11 league appearances this season, seven as a sub, and no goals to his name -- and other English Championship clubs have shown interest.


Before joining Wigan, the former Under-20 France national teamer played for Nimes, Metz, Tours and Ajaccio in the French second-flight Ligue 2, winning promotion to Ligue 1 with Ajaccio in 2011.


But it was his 2013-'14 campaign in the second tier with Tours, when he finished tied for the goal-scoring lead with 24 tallies, that earned him the attention of foreign clubs and he ultimately wound up with the Latics on September 1, 2014.


The offseason has already seen two Wigan players move to MLS: Roger Espinoza returned to Sporting Kansas City and the Chicago Fire signed Shaun Maloney.


The Union, who were formerly linked with current Wigan man William Kvist, have a forward corps that currently features two Frenchmen in Sebastien Le Toux and Antoine Hoppenot alongside Andrew Wenger, CJ Sapong and Conor Casey. Their big-name French player on the squad is playmaking midfielder Vincent Nogueira.


Not familiar with Delort's game? Here's a seven-minute reel of Andy Delort highlights