Wigan want £18m from Manchester United and Real Mardrid for Antonio Valencia

Real Madrid tabled a £12million bid for Wigan winger Luis Antonio Valencia last night - and were told to increase it to £18m.

The Spanish giants sent a top-level delegation to Wigan yesterday.

Real coach Juande Ramos wants the Ecuador star and his board are backing him. Wigan do not want to lose Valencia after selling Wilson Palacios and Emile Heskey for £17.5m, but the player is keen on a glamour move.

Valencia missed the Liverpool game with a hamstring problem last night, but his next match may be in La Liga - with the added attraction of a possible Champions League clash with the Anfield men.

Latics have a complication in the transfer talks as they owe Valencia's former club Villarreal a sizeable slice of the profit over the £5m they paid for him.

Chairman Dave Whelan is holding out for £18m, and news of Real's move will also alert Manchester United.

Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson has asked for first option on Valencia and will want to know the price if one is agreed.

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