Latics playmaker may have the choice between the Emirates Stadium or Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea and Arsenal are set to battle it out for the signature of Wigan midfielder James McCarthy this summer, reports the Independent.
It is understood the 22-year-old is open to the possibility of leaving the DW Stadium at the end of the season, but is unlikely to push for a departure unless the Latics are relegated.
With Roberto Martinez’s side having twice thrown away the lead against Swansea to lose 3-2 in the Premier League, they are three points adrift with only two matches remaining, and the future suddenly looks very bleak.
McCarthy joined Wigan from Hamilton Academical for just £1.2m, aged 18, and has made 112 appearances for Wigan.
The young playmaker made his debut for the Republic of Ireland a year after moving to the Premier League and has recently become a regular for Giovanni Trapattoni’s outfit.
Billy Reid, who have McCarthy his debut for Hamilton aged just 15, believes the youngster should consider joining a bigger club this summer in order to further his career.
“He’s at a good age now,” said Reid. “He’s probably at a stage now where he might need to move on to improve.”
Both Arsenal and Chelsea have been criticised for their stylish yet flimsy midfields this summer, and both could benefit from McCarthy’s authority and work-rate.
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