Bruce set to fight for stars

Latics manager expects plenty of offers for his key players

By Richard Bailey   Last updated: 24th December 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Bruce set to fight for stars

Bruce: Determined to keep hold of players

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Wigan manager Steve Bruce is determined to keep hold of his star players in the January transfer window.

Bruce has built a talented squad at the JJB Stadium guiding the club to Premier League safety last season following his arrival from Birmingham in December 2007.

Wigan currently lie in 11th place in the league and Bruce is aware that some of his players are being tracked by a number of Europe's biggest clubs.

The former Manchester United captain knows that he will have a battle on his hands to keep players such as Emile Heskey, midfielder Wilson Palacios and winger Antonio Valencia.

With Heskey yet to sign a new contract with his current deal expiring in the summer speculation is rife that the Latics will look to cash-in during January.

Palacios has in the past been linked with a move to Manchester United, while Spanish champions Real Madrid are said to be preparing a £15million swoop for Valencia.

"Last week when we were playing (against Blackburn) I think there were representatives from Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Liverpool, and Manchester United," Bruce said.

"That is normal for us because we have got some good players.

"We don't want to lose anyone but I am mindful the big boys are there. It just shows you how far this club has come that the giants of the world are looking at our players.

Hopeful

"We might not have the best surroundings to do interviews, you might go to other places and have champagne and canapés.

"Whereas here you might get a mince pie and a cup of tea out of a machine, but the most important thing is what I have got on the pitch.

"I want to keep hold of them and add to the squad we have got."

Bruce is hopeful that Heskey will eventually sign a new deal with the club despite rumours linking him with a move to Aston Villa and former club Liverpool.

"Emile Heskey is enjoying his football and has got back in the England team by playing for Wigan," he added.

"He thrives in the environment we are in and I haven't given up hope he will still sign.

"When he is here the whole thing revolves around Emile, the way we play, the style of play, we are all suited to Emile Heskey because that is our big strength.

"Other clubs might not think that way and might not get the best out of him. If I were him I would be thinking 'Can I have a swansong playing in the World Cup and can I still be England's number nine?'

"I sincerely hope he doesn't leave. I hope none of them leave because I'm building a really good team and keeping hold of them is not going to be easy."