Figueroa to Liverpool?… and other possible transfers

Figueroa - 2010/11 Wigan? Liverpool? Subderland?

This week has been a fairly busy one for the Latics in terms of transfer speculation, with a number of players tipped to be either leaving or joining the club. The most unexpected peice of news would have to be Liverpool’s expected bid of 6 million pounds for key defender Maynor Figueroa. It was recently announced that their newly appointed manager Roy Hodgson expressed a keen interest in signing the twenty seven year old Honduran international to bolster his much maligned defence. It was already news that clubs such as Sunderland had shown an interest in aquiring Figueroa, but the recent move by Liverpool was rather unexpected. Figueroa was one of Wigan’s shining lights in a defence that conceeded nearly the most goals out of any Premier League side, and it would be very difficult to find a suitable replacement with out splashing  a decent amount of cash. If he were to be transfered it would be yet again another example of a bargain, as he was picked up for a very meagre sum.

In other news, former Liverpool star Jermaine Pennant has been heavily linked with making a move back to England in order to look after his first born child. The clubs that remain in the hunt for the speedy winger are West Ham and Wigan. A few years ago it was reported that a number of clubs including the Latics, were on the verge of signing Pennant but were eventually beaten out by Portsmouth, where he would eventually flop badly. Pennant was signed by Spanish club Real Zaragoza and his form has been unspectactular at best for the lower table side.

If Charles N’Zogbia was to leave Wigan, which has been indicated for some time, a player of Pennant’s calibre is definately needed to fill the void. Although Pennant hasn’t showed great form of late, like many other former Latics players (nzogbia, heskey, catermole) his career could be revitalized if he chose to accept a offer from the club. Memories of Pennant’s tricky play during the 2007 champions league final remains in memory.

When the World Cup ends it will be interesting to see the flurry of transfers before the Premier League season begins. Hopefully Wigan wont lose too many of their key players and in addition sign some new ones to bolster a thinning squad.

Category: Team News