Wigan use Marlon King as a pawn for Celtic's Scott McDonald

01 September 2009 01:42
Wigan last night pitched Marlon King to Celtic in a late quest to land Scott McDonald before the transfer window slams shut. And Sportsmail understands that the English side have not yet ruled out a cash bid before 5pm this evening. Celtic packed defender Darren O’Dea off to Reading on loan last night, with striker Chris Killen set to join another Championship club, Doncaster. Celtic's Scott McDonald Wanted man: McDonald Rebuffed in their quest to land McDonald on an audacious loan deal last week, Wigan are now keen to land the Parkhead club’s top scorer by any means necessary and would subsidise a large chunk of King’s £38,000-a-week wage if Celtic were interested. The English Premier League club have won just one of their first four games since the arrival of Roberto Martinez as manager and desperately need to increase their firepower. McDonald’s agent, Lou Sticca, however, insists that McDonald is likelier to leave in January. He said: ‘Every player and club has their price and there is every possibility Scott could be sold in the next window. ‘He is very happy at Celtic but the reality is if the club receive an offer that is too good to refuse, then he will be sold on. ‘There is one club on the Continent and also another in the English Premier League, but nothing will happen now until January at the earliest. ‘For now, Scott just wants to concentrate on helping Celtic win back the title.’ Still under the impression last night that a loan deal may not be out of the question, Wigan have offered 29-year-old King, a player who spent last season on separate loan spells at Hull City and Middlesbrough. Jailed for five months in 2002 and currently facing a sexual assault charge, it remains to be seen whether Celtic would harbour any interest in the 6ft 1in striker. Tony Mowbray has been pursuing his own targets and would be reluctant to let McDonald go, especially if Killen heads out the door, with Doncaster expected to beat Swansea to his signature. The Celtic manager has played down expectations he could land 22-year-old Argentinian sensation Marco Ruben, despite admitting an interest. He said: ‘He is a player we know. But we talk about hundreds of players and some agents decide to make things public, some don’t. ‘So I would suggest there is nothing in that at the minute.’ Mowbray has also tracked Slovenian Etien Velikonja, while Egyptian playmaker Shikabala has also been linked with a move from Zamalek. But the Parkhead boss added: ‘Shikabala is one of dozens of players we talk about. ‘But he is not someone we are going to buy — we don’t have any money to buy.’ Celtic did conclude two deals yesterday, Massimo Donati joining Bari in a £1m move, while Irish defender O’Dea has joined Reading until the end of the season after rejecting Watford. Sportsmail understands O’Dea will nevertheless sign a new long-term Celtic deal in the coming days.

Source: Daily_Mail