Marseille launch £8.2m bid for Wigan winger
Published 23:00 22/07/10 By Alan Nixon
French champions Marseille are ready to bid a stunning £8.2million for Wigan’s flying winger Charles N’Zogbia.
Marseille want the former France under-21 international to join them for their Champions League campaign and hope to strike a deal with the Latics shortly.
N’Zogbia has been linked with Sunderland and Birmingham City in this window, but Wigan have been able to fend them off with a big valuation on their record £6m buy.
However, Marseille’s cash and clout may be too good to refuse and N’Zogbia could also be tempted by the chance to play in Europe’s top competition rather than taking on a survival battle in the Premier League.
N’Zogbia could also push his way into the French national side after flirting with the idea of representing England last season.
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez wanted to improve his squad after a turbulent first season and signed Argentinian striker Mauro Boselli, but the interest in N’Zogbia could wreck his plans - with chairman Dave Whelan prepared to sell anyone at the right price.
Wigan claim they have not had a bid from Stoke for Colombian striker Hugo Rodallega, but the Marseille move for N’Zogbia will give them a major decision in the next few days.
Meanwhile Wigan were still trying to agree terms with Hamilton midfielder James McArthur last night and Martinez plans to bring in a couple of new defenders in the hectic upcoming weeks.
