Roberto Martinez's first task at Wigan will be to resolve furture of Antonio Valencia

07 June 2009 21:33
The 23 year-old has been subject of renewed speculation of interest from Manchester United and Real Madrid. But despite reports on Sunday that Wigan had received bids in excess of £16 million from United and Real for Valencia, highly-placed sources at the JJB Stadium insist that the club has yet to receive any offers. Manchester United are set to boost their spending power after accepting an offer from Hull City for £6 million-rated striker Fraizer Campbell, who enjoyed a successful loan spell at the KC Stadium in the 2007-08 season. Steve Bruce, who resigned as manager last week to move to Sunderland, conceded prior to his departure that Valencia was likely to have played his last game for the club. United, Real and Bayern Munich have all monitored the player closely in recent months. Valencia, who was due to line up for Ecuador in their World Cup qualifier against Peru in Lima yesterday evening, was the subject of two Real bids in January and Wigan would be prepared to sell the player should they receive offers around the £16 million mark. Swansea manager Martinez has already been promised funds to strengthen the Wigan squad by chairman Dave Whelan once he concludes negotiations over the managerial vacancy at the club. Any money banked for Valencia would be added to his transfer fund. Talks between Martinez and Wigan chief executive Brenda Spencer began last Thursday evening after a £2 million compensation package was agreed between Whelan and Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins. Martinez and Wigan are understood to be close to an agreement and the club expect to formally announce his appointment when Whelan returns from holiday on Wednesday. Spencer said: "Everything is looking positive but you can't rush these things. We have to agree terms, then get things put on paper officially and checked over by the lawyers. "It all takes time, but we are moving forward and hopefully something can be sorted out early this week."

Source: Telegraph