‘It’s our fullest and final offer’ – Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan casts doubt over Ali Al-Habsi move as Bolton turn down second bid

Ali Al Habsi – Wigan (Getty images)

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Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan has cast doubts over a move for Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi by admitting that the two clubs have failed to reach an agreement over the fee for the 29-year-old.

Al-Habsi had a fine season for the Latics as Roberto Martinez’s men beat the drop into the Championship, with the club keen to secure him on a permanent deal this summer.

However, so far they have seen two bids for the Oman international rejected and Whelan revealed that Bolton are holding out for more money.

“They’re trying to get more money out of us, but we’ve told them straight, we’re not paying any more money,” he told the Evening Post.

Whelan also revealed that the Latics met the £3 million asking price Bolton quoted them last summer, only for The Trotters to up their valuation.

“We’ve made our offer, and we’re sitting on the fence at the moment,” he added.

“They’re trying to get more money out of us, but we’ve told them straight, we’re not paying any more money.

“We saw our first bid turned down, which we thought we might, and our second offer remains on the table.”

The Wigan chairman also insisted that his club would not increase their offer despite rumoured interest from Aston Villa, meaning that the move could fail to materialise.

“It’s our fullest and final offer. The offer is what we were quoted for last summer – £3 million.”