Moses’ future not set in stone for Wigan

Published on 19/08/2012 02:15

Roberto Martinez is willing to select Victor Moses in his Wigan side to face visitors Chelsea today (1.30pm), but is braced for the phone to ring with news that the striker is leaving for the London club.

The 21-year-old forward has courted interest from the Champions League winners this summer, with Wigan chairman Dave Whelan accusing them of “messing about” in their pursuit of him.

He wants them to stump up £9 million but, as that valuation has yet to be met, Moses, pictured right, remains available for Martinez to pick.

He intends to do that today but, should Chelsea or any other club decide to rustle up the necessary funds, he could be shorn of one of his key performers last season.

As a result, he has called for the transfer window to be changed so that it is only open during the off-season, saying: “I don’t like it, I have expressed many times that I don’t agree with the transfer window going on while there are official games.

“I have always said that. I do feel there is a need for a transfer window, it is beneficial, but I don’t think it helps when it is open when you are playing official games. It happens everywhere, it gives you uncertainty and I don’t think that helps the game. The players are footballers but they are human beings.”

Chelsea counterpart Roberto Di Matteo was coy when asked about Moses on Friday, but if he remains interested, he is likely to get a front-row view of the former Crystal Palace man today.

Martinez has no qualms with playing Moses either, despite the Spaniard knowing that a display akin to the ones he produced in the second half of last season could be the arm-twister Chelsea need to meet Whelan’s demands.

Moses will be joined in the Wigan team by up to four new faces, with Ivory Coast striker Arouna Kone, Fraser Fyvie (Aberdeen), Rio Miyaichi (Arsenal), Ivan Ramis (Real Mallorca) all joining up.

Martinez is particularly excited by the signing of two older heads in Ramis and former Sevilla frontman Kone, who scored 15 goals for Levante last season.

At 27 and 28, the pair will add some much-needed experience to Martinez’s youthful group.