Transfer news, paper talk, who you want – get it all in here

:lol: :lol: Of course we are

Skysports I think :roll:

Roberto Martinez has admitted he is an admirer of out-of-contract Swansea midfielder Leon Britton.

The 27-year-old will officially become a free agent at the end of June when his deal with the Swans expires.

Britton’s agent has revealed he does have a number of options, including a couple in the Premier League, and Wigan have been credited with an interest.

Martinez worked with Britton during his time in charge at the Liberty Stadium and is fully aware of the player’s contract situation.

“In my eyes he is a player who has probably been one of the best central midfielders in the Championship over the last two years and he is someone who I know really well,” said the Latics manager.

“I worked with him for a few seasons and I played with him, so he is someone I really know well.

“Obviously, I know he is out of contract, he has had a few offers and I am sure it is the most important decision of his football career.

“It is something where I am not too sure what is going to happen.”

Ingredients

Martinez has already begun strengthening his squad ahead of the new season and will keep his eyes open for other possible new recruits when he jets out to the World Cup to work as a pundit.

“I’m going to the World Cup and we are going to see a few players,” he said.

“I think it is important that you sign the right characters and the right personalities.

“Anyone can spot a good player, but it is all the other ingredients that allows you to be successful for Wigan Athletic.
“It is a large list in terms of names and it will carry on in that way until we make a signing.

“So far we have signed Steven Gohouri on a permanent basis and Antolin Alcaraz, the Paraguayan centre-half, and our fans will always be the first to find out as soon as we get new signings.”

Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez has confirmed his interest in signing Argentine striker Mauro Boselli.

Skysports.com revealed earlier in the week that the Latics are leading the chase to snap up the Estudiantes front man over the summer.

Martinez says reports in Argentina that a deal has already been agreed are premature, but he acknowledged that he is keen on Boselli.

“At the moment, everything is still up in the air with that one,” Martinez told the Wigan Evening Post.

“It is true he is a player we have been following for a long time, but I can’t confirm anything regarding an offer.

“Over the next few weeks we hope to finalise a few things with the players we have been trying to get.

“Mauro is one of a number of names that will come out because we have been following a lot of players.”

Birmingham City and Sunderland have previously been linked with Boselli, while Boca Juniors want to keep the forward in his homeland.

I just hope we sign coaching staff who know how to teach defending. Someone who knows how to mark and play offside! We have some decent players already and it won’t hurt to improve the team but its obvious we need organisation.

From today’s WEP:
“LATICS could miss out on Hamilton star James McArthur after Championship new boys Leeds United joined the race for his signature.

“We’ve also dealt with Roberto Martinez and Graeme Jones before, and they’re good people who know a good player when they see one. I know Wigan like him a lot, but I don’t know about whether they have the finances.”

There is more, but note the final sentence – “don’t know whether they have the finances”…

Another greedy agent** talking their player into thinking they are worth more than clubs (or at least sensibly-financially-managed clubs like us) are willing to pay.

He’s unproven – if he wants to play Championship football then that’s fine by me.

** Only just realised it’s the usual suspect.