Wigan Athletic Saturday News

The past 7 days has seen lots of stories appear with connections to the JJB and the Latics

The week started off with the Latics Masters team going down by a late goal in the final of the North West Masters Tournament against Manchester United at the MEN Arena.

Well played the lads with John Doolan doing particularly well.

Antonio Valencia played two games this last week for Ecuador in the Copa America.

Mexico beat Ecuador in the first game and Brazil beat them later in the week to end Valencia and Ecuador`s interest in the tournament.

Antonio played well in both games and in all fairness with a little luck Ecuador could have won them both.

Valencia also put pen to paper on another one year loan deal from Villareal and he will be plying his trade down the right side of Latics midfield for one more season at least.

Another player to tie up an extension at the JJB was Josip Skoko and the amiable Aussie will be with the Latics for probably one final season.

Two players not signing at the Latics are Liverpool`s Zenden and Iranian star Kaebi

Both had been linked with a move to the JJB, Zenden reportedly having talks, but they have joined clubs else where.

Zenden has signed for Marseille whilst Kaebi has joined Leicester.

There was speculation about a major signing this week but now it looks like there may well be three but we`ll have to wait a little longer for confirmation.

Jason Koumas, who has been linked with a move to the Latics since the end of last season could well be set to put pen to paper after West Brom accepted a £5 million bid from the JJB club.

Another player who looks a certainty to be a Latics player next season is Fulham midfielder Michael Brown.

Brown was in Wigan on Thursday finalising personal terms on his proposed £2.5 million transfer

The former Manchester City player will prove to be a good capture for the Latics

Speculation is also rife that a fee of around £3.2 million has been agreed between the Latics and West Ham for striker Marlon Harewood.

Harewood was told by Hammers boss Alan Curbishley that he had no future at Upton Park and a move to the JJB will be a good one for all parties.

There is news that Sunderland are back with a £5 million bid for Leighton Baines

They are persistent but why would Bainesy sign for Sunderland?

Surely if he did leave then it would be for one of the established Premiership clubs.

One former Latics player returning to the North West is Mike Flynn who left Gillingham for newly promoted Championship club Blackpool

Flynny was a bit of a cult hero at the JJB and it`s nice to see him return to the area.

I am sure that there will be a lot more speculation and comings and goings in the next 7 days as Chris Hutchings continues to do what former manager Paul Jewell could never do, get positive interest in the Latics.

The whole town is buzzing keep it up Hutch and role on the new season

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