ADAM HINSHELWOOD was tight-lipped in response to whether there was truth in York City’s interest in striker Josh Stones.

Stones has reportedly agreed a permanent move to York following the conclusion of his loan spell at fellow National League promotion hopefuls Oldham Athletic, with parent club Wigan Athletic looking to offload the young striker.

A product of the Guiseley academy, Stones joined Wigan in 2022 and has made nine appearances for the Latics, finding game time instead with Oldham during two different loan spells.

In his first loan stint, Stones scored three goals in four games, before re-joining Oldham during the 2024/25 National League campaign.

So far this season, he has netted four in six matches.

The rumoured fee for Stones is said to be in the region of £350,000, which would be the second-highest in National League history, with a medical reportedly taking place today.

Football League World are reporting that York have beaten EFL competition to the striker’s signature, but Hinshelwood remained hesitant in confirming any speculation.

“Yes [there’s truth], there’s obviously lots of speculation, especially around this time of year," Hinshelwood responded.

“It would be wrong of us to sort of say anymore than that, he’s a Wigan player and until things change, we can’t really comment on speculation that is out there.

“I don’t think there’s anything to report just of yet, there’s obviously speculation out there but nothing to comment on at this sort of stage.”

The Press also understands that no deal will be announced today, contrary to rumours.

Whilst the National League transfer registration window is open almost all season round, the opening of the January transfer window has seen a flurry of early activity in the fifth tier in 2025.

Hinshelwood isn’t paying too much attention to what those teams around York are bringing in, remaining focused on his side.

The boss added: “We just concentrate on what we can control really, it’s out of our control and we’re going to meet after today.

“We’ll go through the loan players and what our squad looks like, and focus on that really.

“That’s the main focus, I’m on Facebook or nothing so I don’t get to see anything that’s getting put out there.

“We just focus on what we can control, and that’s our squad.”

Luca Thomas has also returned to parent club Leeds United upon the conclusion of his loan spell with City, but Hinshelwood remains hopeful of bringing the striker back to the club on an extended loan agreement.

“We’ll be sitting down and going through what it looks like.

“He’s gone back to Leeds and we’ll be having a chat with them to see what that looks like moving forward.

“He won’t be with us for this weekend.”