Latics await Valencia approach
13 Jun 2009 - 11:11:03
Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan is waiting for Manchester United to lodge an official offer for winger Luis Antonio Valencia.
The 23-year-old Ecuador international has been watched by United for some time and the Red Devils are expected to firm up their interest as soon as Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Real Madrid is completed.
Whelan told Sky Sports News: "United have been in touch with us and we will be starting negotiations very shortly, I would imagine.
"United have been in touch with us over Antonio for the last two or three months, expressing an interest and actually putting cash offers on the table.
"Those things have got to be picked up now. I think they were waiting to see if Ronaldo actually went to Real Madrid, which has happened.
"Things will develop over the next seven to 14 days. The master, which is Sir Alex Ferguson, he makes his moves when he is ready.
"He has strong interest in Antonio, there is no question in that. He had him watched practically every, single match last year.
"I would never stand in the way of a footballer who can go to bigger and better clubs, and you can't get bigger and better than Man United.
"If Antonio Valencia says to me 'chairman, I want to go to Manchester United' and we get the right fee, the deal will be done."