Steve Bruce has conceded it is ‘inevitable’ that Antonio
Valencia will leave Wigan Athletic this summer as a number of
Europe’s top clubs hover ominously around the
midfielder.
Valencia, 23, has enjoyed another impressive season for
The Latics in scoring three goals in 29 Premier League starts and
looks to have outgrown the surroundings of The JJB
Stadium.
Manchester United have been repeatedly linked with the Ecuador
international and Bruce has also hinted that Real Madrid – who made
an offer for the player in January - and Bayern Munich could also
come into the equation as he prepares to lose another star player
following the recent departures of Wilson Palacios and Emile
Heskey.
Much as the Wigan manager would love to keep hold of Valencia,
Bruce admits that the time has come to let go of the player who
announced his sizeable potential when being shortlisted for the
best young player award at the 2006 World Cup.
"It's inevitable Antonio will leave, but where he goes I'm not
quite sure,” Bruce told the Wigan Evening Post.
"There have been no deals done at all. I keep reading that one,
but nothing's been done.
"I believe someone from Real Madrid is flying in for today's
game, and I've also heard the Germans – Bayern Munich – have been
knocking on the door too.
"Whether that is true, I don't know. At the end of the season,
I'll sit down and have a chat with Antonio. But I know it will be
difficult to keep him.
"We've then got the task of trying to unearth another one.
"We cannot buy the finished article here, we have to buy
potential and work on them."
Wigan are sure to make a huge profit on Valencia who joined The
Latics on a permanent deal from Villarreal in January 2008.