Falkirk missed out on a potential £250,000 fee when Wigan sacked manager Owen Coyle in December but they could well recoup that amount now the transfer window is open.
Bairns midfielder Jay Fulton was set to join Coyle at the DW Stadium after the clubs had agreed a deal that would have seen Falkirk earn a cool quarter of a million pounds through various add-ons.
Falkirk Technical Director Alex Smith reckons other clubs will now rekindle their interest in the 19-year-old, with several of his team-mates potentially also the subject of bids from clubs on both sides of the border.
Smith said: “Owen was very keen on Jay and the move was very much on until Owen left. It was disappointing for Jay at the time as he has known Owen for a long time as his dad, Stevie, played in the same Bolton team as him.
“Everything had been discussed and things were getting laid out on paper when Owen left. We would have netted some money for his development and some add-ons but it was not to be.
“Jay has just got on with things and he has played tremendously well during our recent fine run. A large number of scouts have been coming to our games and I would not be surprised if we get a bid for him over the next few weeks.
“He is under contract until the summer and he can start talking to clubs himself now to sign for them at the end of the season but I am not sure he will still be here then.”
Another possible loss to the Championship promotion chasers is defender Stephen Kingsley, with Smith saying: “Stephen is attracting heavy interest from a top Scottish club and a number of big hitters in England as well. I am expecting that interest to be firmed up this month and that could be a real test for us as a club.
“We are still heavily involved in the race for promotion but we are proud of our record in developing players. We do not want to lose Stephen, especially as he has a year and a half to go, but if a good offer comes in we will have to consider it.”
Smith, who turned 74 on Christmas Day, reckons that other Bairns are being watched carefully as he said: “It is a great compliment that we are still seen as a breeding ground for talent. In recent years Scott Arfield has left us and he is now starring for Burnley, Murray Wallace is a regular at Huddersfield and Ryan Flynn is starring at Sheffield United.
“We know clubs are keen on Conor McGrandles, Craig Sibbald and Will Vaulks, which is a great compliment, but it is a worry with an exciting few months of the season ahead.”
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