Martinez warns Spurs boss Redknapp that his Figueroa is not for sale

19 December 2009 17:28
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has warned Harry Redknapp no amount of cash for Maynor Figueroa can compare to his priceless role in the club's future.[LNB]If speculation is to be believed, Redknapp is ready to raid Wigan for the second successive January transfer window after splashing out £12million on Wilson Palacios at the start of the year.[LNB]This time his Honduras team-mate Figueroa is apparently in Redknapp's sights, and with £6million the price tag mooted.[LNB] Not for sale: Maynor Figueroa celebrates his fantastic goal for Wigan at Stoke last weekend[LNB]The 26-year-old defender certainly added to his value with his goal-of-the-season contender in last Saturday's 2-2 draw at Stoke.[LNB]Martinez, however, is adamant Figueroa - along with every other Latics player - is going nowhere next month as Wigan are in need of rebuilding, not further dismantling.[LNB]'I'm not fearful of losing Maynor, not at all,' insisted Martinez when quizzed about the player.[LNB]'There have been a few mentions of three or four players who have been performing really well recently, but I have no fear of losing any of them because we want to achieve our aim.[LNB]'That is to get into Europe in three years' time, and to do that we have to stay in the Premier League.[LNB]The main man: Roberto Martinez[LNB]'It means the next three months are going to be vital for us for that, and we need every single player.[LNB]'Staying in the Premier League and achieving what we want to achieve has no price.[LNB]'If you are going to put a price on achieving that then it (the £6million tag labelled to Figueroa) would be out of proportion.[LNB]'As I've said before, we're not in a situation where we have to sell players, and that's our biggest strength in this window.'[LNB]Figueroa has at least enjoyed his time in the spotlight these past few days, even if the training ground banter has been lost on him given his poor grasp of English.[LNB]'We were hoping he would produce another two crackers against Liverpool,' joked Martinez given his side suffered a 2-1 loss at Anfield on Wednesday.[LNB]'He is a very consistent guy as a player and as a person, so the headlines haven't changed him, but the quality he has means he is going to be a threat for the rest of the season.[LNB]'There was some banter, but he doesn't understand much English, so he is a bit perplexed by the whole situation. He just responds with a big smile.[LNB]'He is a great professional who enjoys his football and is a joy to work with.[LNB]'Obviously, you don't score goals like he did too often, so he has had an enjoyable week.'[LNB]Martinez will make one enforced change for Monday's local derby with Bolton at the DW Stadium as midfielder Mohamed Diame misses at least the next four games with lateral ligament damage to his left knee.[LNB] Sunderland in pole position to sign Wigan defender Maynor FigueroaWigan target Waldo Ponce eyes Europe - and will be a snip at just £300,000WIGAN FC

Source: Daily_Mail