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Bruce checks out Mensah
Steve Bruce has checked out Rennes centre-half John Mensah as he seeks to strengthen Wigan Athletic's defence this summer.
The Ghana international is reportedly keen on a move to the Premier League, with FA Cup winners Portsmouth also interested.
Wigan boss Bruce and his assistant Eric Black watched the 25-year-old in action for the French club recently and are now mulling over whether to take their interest further.
Rennes rate him highly, possibly in the 7m bracket, so Latics could find themselves having to break their record transfer outlay.
Mensah, who can also play at left-back, joined Rennes in January 2006 after spending most of his career in Italy.
The centre of defence is an area Bruce is especially keen to strengthen.
He currently has Paul Scharner, Emmerson Boyce and Titus Bramble to choose from – Swede Andreas Granqvist looks likely to be on the move after Euro 2008 while Erik Hagen isn't being kept on after his
four-month loan stint from Zenit St Petersburg.
Scharner's future is yet to be secured, although the Austrian is currently in negotiations over a contract extension.
While he still has a year left on his present deal, Latics might be forced to cash in on him if an agreement can't be reached.
Fulham's interest in Scharner remains.
They failed with two bids to lure him to Craven Cottage in January.
But Latics are still confident they can strike a deal with the 28-year-old who was voted player of the year by supporters.
Mensah isn't the only central defender to be linked with a summer switch to the JJB Stadium as Bruce looks at targets both in this country and abroad.
Charlton's Algeria international Madjid Bougherra and Socratis
Papastathopoulos at AEK Athens are possibilities.
Bougherra, 25, who played for Crewe and Sheffield Wednesday before moving to The Valley, was in good form for the Addicks last season, prompting interest from Spanish club Real Betis.
But it's likely to be next month before there is any significant transfer activity at Latics as Bruce is away on holiday ahead of a trip to Florida later in the week to watch Maynor Figueroa and Hendry Thomas in action for Honduras.
They are both due to join Latics on season-long loan deals.
Meanwhile, the club will launch their new home kit on July 15, with fans getting a sneak preview early next month.
The shirts will again be blue and white stripes but will carry the redesigned Latics crest and be manufactured by Champion who have a major tie-up with JJB.
Fans on the club's database will receive an e-mail showing the new kit on June 9, and they'll be able to pre-order from the following day.
The team will wear the new kit on their pre-season tour of Austria which begins on July 19.
A new away strip is also being launched later in the summer.
Latics chairman Dave Whelan said: "Alongside JJB, we have been working on the home kit for some time and we know that it is going to
be a winner.
"I'm delighted the team will play in blue and white stripes again, but the design is a closely-guarded secret until its official release."
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Weather for Wigan
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 14 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: West
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Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 25 C
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