New Wigan boss Martinez eyes Celts' targets McCarthy and Fletcher

04 June 2009 23:49
Wigan expect to secure Roberto Martinez as their new boss over the next 48 hours and his first task could be to pinch the likes of James McCarthy from Celtic's clutches. Swansea agreed a £2million deal yesterday to allow their promising young manager to leave the Liberty Stadium and head to England's north-west. And now Martinez could look to Scotland for signing targets, with Hamilton prospect McCarthy and Hibs striker Steven Fletcher up for grabs. Wigan owner Dave Whelan was extremely confident last night he will land the man who made a big impression at the JJB Stadium as a player. Martinez appeared to push for the move even though he knew Celtic were also interested and now the Hoops must keep chipping away at leading contender Tony Mowbray, as well as candidates such as Owen Coyle, Mark McGhee and Craig Levein. Sunderland paid Wigan £3m compensation for Steve Bruce and £2m of that is now bound for Wales. With winger Antonio Valencia expected to be sold for around£20m this summer, Martinez will have cash to spend. 'We have a budget,' said Whelan. 'We will talk and we have the money we require to replace players. Roberto will be getting the funds that we can afford.' Martinez spent a week in Scotland after Swansea completed their Championship campaign, watching Celtic against Dundee United one night and Hamilton against Falkirk the next. He has a long-standing interest in Accies' 18- year-old McCarthy, who has already been the subject of a bid by Celtic, while Wigan's director of football, John Benson, has had a Fletcher bid on the backburner for some time. Martinez felt McCarthy was moving out of Swansea's price range butit may be different at Wigan, with Accies wanting a minimum £1m down payment. Celtic failed with a £2m bid for Easter Road star Fletcher in January and the player is keen to move this summer. If Mowbray was to land the job at Parkhead, then he could rekindle the Fletcher interest after admiring the player since bringing him through as a teenager at Hibs.

Source: Daily_Mail