Wigan Athletic do not intend to settle for mid-table obscurity/safety in the Premiership.

 

Already linked with half of the registered players in the known football world, the Latics are looking to narrow their sights and hone in on those who possess the necessary qualities to fit into Roberto Martinez’ squad. And the ultimate aim is to move into the higher echelons of the football hierarchy in England.

Moumouni Dagano, a 28- year old Burkina Faso international who has grabbed 21 goals in 43 appearances in his country’s colours, is the latest to be firmly on Martinez’ shopping list and has previous experience in Europe with French sides Guingamp and Sochaux. Portuguese U21 striker Yazalde Gomes Pinto, who is on loan at Rio Ave from Sporting Braga, is also on the radar of Wigan boss.

This all fits in nicely with the Spaniards desire to see his team break into the top ten and push for European football on a regular basis. He has a three-year plan to achieve that and has no intentions of assuming it will just happen. Martinez said “Staying in the Premier League is not enough for me. I am not like that as a person or a professional …in three years I want to get into Europe. That is our aim. We need to find a way to finish seventh or eighth in the Premier League. “

Clearly, strengthening the squad at the DW Stadium is the first step towards that goal.