Arsenal and Chelsea will lead the race to sign Wigan and Ireland midfielder James McCarthy in the Summer, with €18 million the reported asking price, according to The Independent. The speculation follows recent reports linking the 22 year old to Manchester United.

McCarthy has impressed with another excellent season for Roberto Martinez’s side, despite the team struggling to avoid relegation. Some good performances for Ireland, notably away to Sweden, have also further bolstered the Scottish born player’s reputation.

McCarthy is now in his third relegation scrap with the club and, while he not insistent on a move away in the summer, should Wigan be playing Championship football next year it will certainly be without McCarthy.

McCarthy made his professional debut at just 15 years of age, for Hamilton Academical in the Scottish First Division. He was voted the SPL Young Player of the Year two years later. Offers from Liverpool and Celtic were turned down as the teenager chose to continue playing first team football with Hamilton. Eventually he made the move South, but chose again to value game time above the relative size and prestige of his new club. Wigan and Roberto Martinez were the beneficiaries of that move, however Billy Reid, McCarthy’s coach at Hamilton, believes now may be the time for the player to make the move to the next level, “I still don't think he's realised his potential yet. That's no disrespect to Wigan, I think he can go and play for one of the top teams in England."

McCarthy's Wigan face Swansea tonght, knowing three points will lift them out of the relegation zone, narrowly moving ahead of Newcastle on goal difference, with just two league games left. They face Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday.

Image: ©INPHO/James Crombie