Wigan Athletic

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Landzaat plans Wigan stay

Wigan Athletic midfielder Denny Landzaat has ruled out a return to Holland.

Landzaat joined The Latics from AZ Alkmaar 12 months ago but has been linked with a move back to the Eredivisie this summer.

Feyenoord have expressed an interest in Landzaat but he has no intention of going anywhere until he has had more success with Wigan.

"Before I think about a return to Holland, I first want to prove myself in England," he told AD Sportwereld.

"I don't have the feeling that I am done in England after only one season at Wigan Athletic."

Landzaat made 33 appearances in his debut season at Wigan and believes playing regularly in the Premier League can only boost his chances of being selected by Holland coach Marco van Basten.

He explained: "Staying at Wigan has consequences for me playing in Oranje.

"The level of play in the Premier League is enormous. Each week you play against big clubs in beautiful stadiums.

"The game play is so fast here. In England I really became stronger as a player and I am still growing.

"That is also nice for the Dutch national team."

Source: Skysports

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Baines rejects Wigan contract offer

Leighton Baines is set to spark a transfer scramble after rejecting a new Wigan Athletic contract offer.

Premiership new boys Sunderland have already had three bids knocked back for the England Under-21 defender - the latest of £6million.

Everton had also shown an interest in the left-back who has two years to run on his current Latics deal.

Baines, 22, is reluctant to commit his long-term future but new Wigan boss Chris Hutchings is desperate for him to stay. And Hutchings is keen to tie up Fulham midfielder Michael Brown, 30, in a £2m deal.

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Wigan Athletic are interested in Toulouse winger Fode Mansare.

Both the Latics and Mallorca have expressed an interest in Mansare. The 25-year-old scored four goals last season. He was part of the Guinea squad that lost in the quarter-finals of the 2004 African Cup of Nations.

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Wigan Athletic fullback Leighton Baines' move to Sunderland has stalled.

The Mirror says Baines's wife is due to give birth to their second child in the next 24 hours and that has kept him occupied - along with deciding whether to say 'yes' to Roy Keane.

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Latics agree Brown fee

Fulham boss Lawrie Sanchez has confirmed Wigan Athletic have agreed a fee for midfielder Michael Brown's services.

Wigan's new manager Chris Hutchings has been busy in the transfer market this summer and has now turned his attention to the midfielder.

The Latics have agreed an undisclosed amount for the former Sheffield United and Manchester City man and are currently thrashing out terms with the 30-year-old.

"We've had an offer from Wigan, which we've accepted," Sanchez told Sky Sports 1. "We've allowed Michael to talk to them.

"At this moment in time there are ongoing discussions between the player and the club.

"Hopefully for all sides it will be resolved quite soon and that we'll make decisions based on what happens with Michael."

Source: Skysports

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Wigan have named summer signing Mario Melchiot as their new captain.

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Wigan Athletic are lining up a bid for West Brom left-back Paul Robinson.The Sun says the Latics will offer £3 million for the defender.

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Latics bag Brown

Wigan have signed Fulham midfielder Michael Brown for an undisclosed fee.

The 30-year-old has inked a three-year deal at the JJB Stadium after passing a medical and agreeing personal terms.

Wigan have been chasing the former Manchester City man for some time and he is their seventh new signing of the summer.

Latics boss Chris Hutchings believes the combative midfielder will prove a valuable addition to his squad.

"Like all of our signings we have done extensive research on the player and I feel he is someone who brings something new to the table," Hutchings told the club's official website.

"We have worked really hard behind the scenes to make this one happen because I believe he will make a big difference to the side and I am really happy Michael has agreed to join us.

"He has huge Premier League experience and is an all-action player who can play a number of roles in the middle of the park.

"He is a totally committed midfielder, who never gives anything less than 100 per cent to the cause and strengthens competition in those midfield areas even further.

"He has been a real fan's favourite everywhere he has gone and I'm sure it will be no different here."

Hutchings insists he will not be stopping his transfer spree at Brown, as he is keen to bring in even more new faces.

"Now the search goes on for more new blood; I still feel we need to add to the squad and we are optimistic that we can make further announcements, hopefully, sooner rather than later," added Hutchings.

Source: Skysports

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Wigan renew Robinson bid

Wigan manager Chris Hutchings is to resurrect his attempt to sign West Brom full-back Paul Robinson.

Hutchings is keen to bring in a replacement for Leighton Baines, who has left the club in a £6million move to Everton, ahead of the new season.

The JJB Stadium boss saw an initial attempt to sign Robinson fall through after the 28-year-old failed a medical last week, but Hutchings has now renewed his £3m move.

"There is a bit of a stalemate on the medical side and with the fee as regards Paul Robinson," Hutchings told the Daily Star.

"It's ongoing at the moment, but it depends on whether we can do anything different in terms of how we want to pay the fee."

Relegation battle

Hutchings, who took over at Wigan after Paul Jewell resigned at the end of last season, has had a busy summer in the transfer market as he looks to avoid a repeat of the relegation battle which marred the previous campaign.

Wigan have brought in Titus Bramble, Antoine Sibierski, Mario Melchiot, Jason Koumas, Michael Brown, and made the loan move of Andreas Granqvist permanent in the close season.

Despite the large number of new faces, Hutchings is happy with how his squad is coming together as they build up for their Premier League kick-off at Everton on Saturday.

"Obviously bringing quite a few new faces in it takes time to gel, but they seem to have settled in very quickly," Hutchings told SkySports News.

"But, the real test will be in the first game and that is what we are looking forward to."

Source: Skysports

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Heskey backed for recall

Chris Hutchings believes Wigan Athletic striker Emile Heskey should win an England recall.

The powerful hit-man has 43 caps and five goals for his country, but has not featured since Euro 2004.

England are short of attacking options for their upcoming friendly with Germany and Latics boss Hutchings believes Steve McClaren need look no further than Heskey.

"I think he should be in that squad. I've got every confidence of him getting back in that squad," he told Sky Sports News.

"It's nice to have that experience of someone who can go in and Steve (McClaren) will know can do that job, if he's called upon."

Skysports

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Wigan's Denny Landzaat has been called into the Holland squad for this week's friendly with Switzerland.

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Wigan Athletic boss Chris Hutchings has identified his replacement for Everton signing Leighton Baines. Former Tottenham fullback Erik Edman, currently with France's Rennes, is in Hutchings' sights.

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Parma fullback Ferdinand Coly is considering a return to England. The former Birmingham City defender, 33, has received offers from Wigan Athletic and Championship club Southampton.

He's real shite defender IMO.

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Wigan Athletic hope to land Celta Vigo wing-back Diego Placente on a free transfer. Placente, 30, flies to England today for talks with manager Chris Hutchings over a switch from Spanish side Celta Vigo.