Premier League - Bruce: Palacios only Wigan exit

Eurosport - Mon, 19 Jan 15:44:00 2009

Wigan manager Steve Bruce is adamant Wilson Palacios will be the only player to leave the JJB Stadium in January.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 FA Cup - Wigan Athletic's Wilson Palacios (right) and Tottenham's Jamie O'Hara battle for the ball - 0

Honduras midfielder Palacios is a £14million target for Tottenham, though Manchester City are also understood to be lining up a bid.

Bruce is resigned to losing the 24-year-old in the current transfer window, but is determined to keep hold of his other star assets like Emile Heskey, Antonio Valencia and Ryan Taylor.

The Latics boss insists the trio will be going nowhere in the immediate future, but confesses it will always be difficult for his club to retain top players in the long term.

"We don't want to lose Wilson, but we have to be realistic," said Bruce.

"This is a club that will always lose its best players, but you don't want to lose them halfway through a season.

"We have worked so hard over 14 months to get in this position and you hate to dismantle it.

"But I won't be losing two or three this time, just one."

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has agreed a fee with Wigan counterpart Dave Whelan for the midfielder, but the payment terms are yet to be settled.

Bruce told the Daily Star: "Anyone who has watched Wilson for the last six months will know what they are getting.

"The size of the fee, I believe, has been agreed. But in terms of the payment, Mr Levy wants it over something like 55 years!"

Bruce hinted after Wigan's 1-0 defeat at Manchester City on Saturday that the Eastlands club had also joined the fight to sign Palacios.

After revealing a second club had entered the fray, he told the News of the World: "The club involved is not far from where we are now. And it is not true that it is Manchester United."

Sporting Life / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 5 of 5

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  1. latest news says wigan will double his wages and wilson­ palacios is going nowhere. he was nver happy with a­ move to london.

    From AUDREY G, on Tue 20 Jan 11:51AM

  2. We see Spurs again trying to buy on the never never­ again. If they have not got the cash they shouldn't­ be allowed to buy. With all this buy on h/p terms in a­ credit crunch, who will be the first club to go bust.­ It's only a matter of time till one of the under­ preasure banks pull the plug on a premier league club.­ Wigan should insist on cash up front.

    From Dave, on Mon 19 Jan 4:10PM

  3. You Man C fans must wake up everyday thinking it's­ Christmas (or whatever holiday you celebrate)
    Just­ think what will happen in the future if this spending­ tripe continues.
    I can see it now. "Man C ruin­ football"
    Haven't you learnt anything from­ History?

    From lee, on Mon 19 Jan 3:28PM

  4. stupid,man city

    From Godfrey, on Mon 19 Jan 12:55PM

  5. Good on u steve! Keep em all!

    From 1982, on Mon 19 Jan 10:43AM
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