Source: FOOTYMAD
Latics just missed out on Old Trafford target
Roberto Martinez has revealed that he came close to signing Atletico Madrid goalkeeper and Manchester United transfer target, David de Gea last summer. The 20 year old goalkeeper has been in inspired form for Atletico this season and is being hotly tipped to join Manchester United as a replacement for the retired Edwin van der Sar. Speaking about the Latics bid to sign de Gea almost twelve months ago, Martinez told the Wigan Evening Post: "It's true, we had David signed on a loan deal, but unfortunately on the last day of the transfer window everything fell through. "The problem wasn't on our side of the agreement - Atletico Madrid just felt he had to stay, and they were proved to be right. "Shortly afterwards, their two senior goalkeepers got injured, he got an opportunity and he quickly became a hero. And everyone has been able to see for themselves the true quality of David de Gea. "He has matured so much at such a young age, and the price tag Manchester United are talking about already looks to be a bargain." Of course the silver lining to this cloud is that Martinez then brought Bolton goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi in on a season long loan deal.
