Source: Daily_Mail
Wigan boss Bruce set to make £7m move for Benitez in club record deal
Wigan manager Steve Bruce is close to agreeing a club record £7m deal for Ecuador striker Cristian Benitez with Mexican outfit Santos Laguna.
The 22-year-old, who is just 5ft 6in tall, was set to join the Latics in the January transfer window, but he broke a bone in his leg and Bruce pulled the plug on the deal.
Bruce wants to watch Benitez in Ecuador's two World Cup qualifers this week to make sure he has recovered from the injury before bringing him to the recently renamed DW Stadium, reports The Daily Mirror.
Benitez is considered one of the best foreign strikers in the Mexican League and has netted 27 goals in 55 appearances for Santos Laguna.
Wigan owner Dave Whelan has given Bruce the green light to go ahead with the deal and the transfer seems certain to be paid for by the sale of Luis Antonio Valencia to Manchester United.
