Wigan Athletic

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Wigan Athletic are pondering a bid for Werder Bremen striker Ivan Klasnic. The Croatia international is available from Werder and ready to quit the Bundesliga.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Le Mans midfielder Hassan Yebda is attracting interest from Wigan Athletic. Yebda is out of contract in the summer and has been contacted by the Latics after turning down a new deal at Le Mans.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Wigan Athletic boss Steve Bruce is keeping tabs on Birmingham City midfielder Sebastian Larsson. Bruce sees the Swede as a potential replacement for Luis Antonio Valencia and is aware that Birmingham are seeking to tie the ex-Arsenal trainee to a new contract this summer.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Le Mans midfielder Hassan Yebda is on the verge of giving up on a dream move to Benfica in favour of English Premier League side Wigan.

The 24-year-old had his heart set on a move to the Portuguese giants but is now on the brink of signing a three-year deal at the JJB stadium.

He has become increasingly frustrated at Benfica's attempts to stall the deal while they complete the search for their new manager.

"Yebda has preferred Benfica since the beginning of the negotiations," Luis Da Costa, Yebda's agent, told Portuguese newspaper Record. "But we can't wait forever.

"Rui Costa (Benfica's sporting director) told us to wait until Sunday because they had to sign a new coach, but we still haven't heard anything.

"If nothing happens on Monday, we will give a response to Wigan. And it will be positive.

"If we don't get a very good proposal from Benfica, he will sign a contract for three years with the English club Wigan."

[Morrison]

Valencia set to stay - Wigan Athletic FC - wiganer.net

Flying winger Luis Antonio Valencia is set to stay with Wigan Athletic for one more year but the 22 year old did not hide his desire to play for a bigger club at some stage in his career.

When asked about the likelihood of him remaining a Wigan player, the Ecuadorian said: "Yes, I think so. It seems that they want me to stay one more year. I feel good to be able to play in the Premier League. I hope this will help me play for a bigger team.

"If it does not happen this year, maybe next year. English football is very difficult. I have started to study because you have to speak English to be able to play there."

Valencia has been linked with moves to Liverpool and Manchester United over the past few weeks following his impressive second half to the season for the Latics.

Meanwhile, released midfielder Josip Skoko is hopign to stay in Europe before moving back to Australia. The 32 year old said: "At the moment I'd prefer to stay in Europe for another year or two before heading back. I'd prefer to sign somewhere for two or three years at this stage to shore up my future."

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Wigan Athletic are continuing talks over Honduras international midfielder Hendry Thomas. The Latics want to sign Thomas, but are still to reach terms with his club, Deportivo Olimipa.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Chris Kirkland has signed a new four-year contract with Wigan Athletic.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Wigan Athletic are set to make an offer for Birmingham City midfielder Olivier Kapo. The Mirror says Wigan boss Steve Bruce is set to make a £2.5million swoop for Kapo.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Wigan have made an approach for Greek defender Socratis Papastathopoulos. The 22-year-old is highly-rated and has already been linked with the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal Juventus, Villarreal, Monaco and Ajax.

AEK Athens are ready to listen to offers but they will not entertain anything less than £2.5million.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Wigan Athletic are struggling to secure a deal for Zamalek star Amr Zaki. The Manchester Evening News says Wigan had thrashed out a year-long loan release for Zaki with a view to the move becoming permanent if both parties were happy with how things went at the JJB. However, the Latics have been told Zamalek are reluctant to release Zaki until they find a suitable replacement.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Wigan are putting winger David Cotterill up for sale. Latics manager Steve Bruce put a £2million tag on Cotterill.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Newcastle United winger Charles N'Zogbia is a target for Wigan Athletic. Latics boss Steve Bruce is ready to make a £3.5million move for N'Zogbia. Bruce is keen to take pacy N'Zogbia and will soon test Toon chief Kevin Keegan with an offer.

[Lemmy]

Wigan Athletic have signed Dutch winger Daniel de Ridder after he was released by Birmingham City on Monday.

It is the second time that De Ridder, 24, has signed for Steve Bruce after he took him to St Andrews last summer.

Wigan boss Bruce said: "Daniel is an exciting player and I'm convinced he can make an impact. He has very quick feet and can pull off the unexpected."

The ex-Holland Under-21 international has signed a three-year deal and Bruce expects further new signings to follow.

"It's clear we need to bring one or two new faces this summer and we are currently chasing several targets," he said. "Watch this space!"

De Ridder added: "When a manager says he wants you for his team it is very flattering, especially when it is a big team like Wigan who are now well established in the Premier League."

BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Wigan | Wigan sign Dutch winger De Ridder

[Lemmy]

Wigan Athletic have completed the signing of Egypt international Amr Zaki on a one-year loan deal from Zamalek.

The 25-year-old, who has scored 27 goals in 48 games for his country, clinched the move after a Wigan delegation flew to Egypt on Monday.

Zaki said: "I've come to England to score goals. That's what I do.

"I want to show the manager and the fans that they have made a good choice and now I am totally focused on trying to get in the squad and prove myself."

Wigan manager Steve Bruce said: "It has been a real tough deal to push through, that's for sure, but I'm delighted that Amr's finally a Wigan Athletic player. Everything has been sorted and now he can just get on with the job in hand."

Zaki - dubbed the Egyptian Gladiator - has won the African Cup of Nations twice and was recently named as his country's player of the year.

Bruce added: "Anyone with a one-in-two strike rate or better over 50-odd international games knows where the back of the net is.

"Although he hasn't played in the Premier League, I am convinced, having seen him personally on several occasions, that this boy can do the business.

"I think our supporters will love him because he's a passionate boy who plays with his heart on his sleeve. He is all-action, physically powerful, great in the air, with two great feet and a good turn of pace."

BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Wigan | Wigan complete Zaki loan switch