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Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan has confirmed that a
third club have entered the race to sign star forward Antonio
Valencia.
The Ecuador international has shot to fame since joining the JJB
Stadium outfit - initially on loan - in 2006, making 84 league
appearances for the Latics, netting seven times.
The former Villarreal forward has long been linked with a summer
move to either Manchester United or Real Madrid, with Sir Alex
Ferguson's side now the favourites following Real's £80 million
acquisition of Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, Athletic chief Whelan has now revealed that a new club
have expressed an interest in the 23-year-old.
"We don't want to sell him, it's the big clubs that are chasing him
that are offering fantastic money for the lad and I don't want to
stop a player with his ability from playing with one of the top six
clubs in the world," he told Sky Sports.
"I don't want to sell him, but if Antonio Valencia goes, which he
could do in the next fortnight, it creates a problem on the right
for us because he's going to be so difficult to replace.
"We have got three clubs vying to buy him. We are just going to sit
on the fence because, whatever we think, it depends on where the
player wants to go.
"There is no use us thinking we will sell him to Real Madrid or
Manchester United, because it depends on the player and the advice
his agent gives him.
"If he wants to stay, though, I'm delighted. If nothing happens and
he stays I will be over the moon, and the supporters will
be."
Liverpool are now being linked with Valencia, with Rafael Benitez
expected to spend heavily on replacements during the close-season
in order to finally secure a first Premier League title for the
Anfield outfit.
The Reds are reportedly closing in on the signature of Portsmouth
attacking right-back Glen Johnson for around £18 million.