Wigan Athletic FC

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• Founded:1932
• Manager:Roberto Martinez

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Latics rule out Owen swoop

17 Jun 2009 - 08:58:40

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Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan has no intention of bringing Newcastle United striker Michael Owen to the club this summer.

The former Liverpool and Real Madrid forward is out of contract at St James' Park in less than a fortnight's time but his future remains shrouded in doubt.

The Latics tried to sign Owen before he sealed his transfer from Real Madrid to Tyneside almost four years ago, but Whelan is not interested in the 29-year-old this time.

He said: "His wages are too expensive, for one thing, and, for another, you have to ask whether he still has the urge, the bottle and the drive. I hope he has, because he's been a great player. But that's a big question.

"I tried to sign him when he came back from Real Madrid. I told his agent I'd pay the £15million asking price and allow him to move on whenever he pleased because I wanted him to be playing over here in readiness for the World Cup the following year.

"He's looking a bit injury-prone these days, and he does love his horses. His wages will come down, but it would still be a hell of a lot for us to pay someone more than £25,000 a week."

Meanwhile, Whelan still expects Luis Antonio Valencia will move to Manchester United shortly despite interest in the Ecuador international from Real Madrid and one other club.

He added: "United have got a meeting with us in the next three or four days, Real Madrid have got a meeting with us in the next three or four days, and the other team have asked for a meeting.

"We can't tell anybody where they're going to go and play. If Real offered £2million more than United, or vice-versa, it would depend on where the lad wants to go.

"All season Real have followed him big style, Manchester United followed him big style and there's another club who've just come in from Europe, who we were unaware of.

"I swore I wouldn't reveal the identity of the other team because they're frightened of Real or United finding out."