Wigan manager Steve Bruce is trying to hijack Portsmouth's move for Liverpool reject Jermaine Pennant.
The 26-year-old winger's Anfield contract is not being extended and he will be a free agent when his Portsmouth loan expires at the end of the week.
Bruce is looking to sign a replacement for Antonio Valencia and remains a big admirer of Pennant, having signed him for Birmingham from Arsenal.
Bruce then stood by Pennant when the winger was jailed for drink driving in 2005.
Source: Daily_Mail