Bolton manager Owen Coyle refuses to reduce asking price for Wigan target Ali Al-Habsi

Ali Al-Habsi (Bolton) (bwfc.co.uk)

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Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle is adamant that the club will not sell Wigan Athletic target Ali Al-Habsi for less than his worth.

Al-Habsi spent last season on loan with the Latics, and manager Roberto Martinez has expressed his interest in securing the services of the Oman international on a more permanent basis after an impressive spell, with a £4 million fee touted.

Should a move fail to materialise, life for Al-Habsi at the Reebok could prove difficult due to Jussi Jaaskelainen’s position as first team keeper, with the back-up shot stopper determined to find regular football.

Speaking to Bolton News, Coyle said: “We haven’t shifted one iota, so Wigan have known since the very start where they need to get to. If they are edging closer, then they are only doing that because they have known what they have to do from the outset.

“If they get to a place where we’re all happy then there might be some business done. Until they do that, there’s nothing to discuss.”

He continued: “The scenario is very simple and both me and the chairman have been very consistent – we have never put it out there that we wanted Ali to go. If there’s business to be done, then it has to be done at the level we think is fair, to us and to Ali.”