Bruce wants Bullard back
Steve Bruce may bring fans' favourite Jimmy Bullard back to Latics.
The Wigan boss has expressed an interest in the midfielder who left the JJB Stadium to join Fulham two years ago.
Whether the 29-year-old Londoner can be tempted north is another matter, but Bruce is a big admirer of Bullard's talents and is keen to see if a deal can be struck.
News of Latics' pursuit leaked out in London last night, even though there haven't been any formal talks or approaches at this stage.
Fulham would be reluctant sellers as Bullard helped
rescue them from relegation last season following his return from a knee ligament injury, which kept him out of the game for 16 months.
But the Cottagers have been spending heavily in the close season and are favourites to land Andy Johnson from Everton, a player Latics also have had an interest in.
So they could be tempted by a big bid, and there has been talk of a 6m price tag.
Bruce has already tried to strengthen his midfield during the summer with a move for Honduras international Hendry Thomas, but that fell through after he was refused a work permit, while Middlesbrough's Lee Cattermole has also been a target.
Bullard joined Latics from Peterborough in January 2003 for 275,000, going on to make 157 appearances and featuring in two promotion campaigns.
At the end of the club's first season in the Premier League, he opted to move to Fulham in a 2.5m deal, citing a desire to be closer to his parents who lived in London.
The Bullard speculation emerged on the day Latics finally wrapped up the signing of Amr Zaki on a season-long loan from El Zamalek.
Bruce has been chasing the Egypt striker, 25, since receiving rave reviews about his performances at the African Nations Cup earlier this year.
Click next page for more ...Negotiations began at the start of May, and the deal was finally completed yesterday when Zaki took possession of his work permit and visa.
He should arrive in Wigan later in the week where he will be put through his paces by reserve team coach Keith Bertschin while the first-team squad round-off their visit to Austria.
Bruce said: "It has been a real tough deal to push through, that's for sure.
"But it's worth it. Anyone with a one in two strike rate or better over 50-odd inter-national games knows where the back of the net is.
"Although he hasn't played in the Premier League before, I'm convinced this boy can do the business."
Latics have paid El Zamalek a 1.3m loan fee and will shell out a further 500,000 if he scores 10 league goals.
Further negotiations will take place in January if the club want to extend his loan or sign him permanently.
Latics were beaten 2-0 by Eintracht Frankfurt in Bad Bleiberg last night, with both goals coming in the first half.
Bruce played new signing Daniel de Ridder from the start, with the Dutch winger replaced later in the game by fellow newcomer Olivier Kapo.
It was a near full-strength Latics side, with Wilson Palacios, Antonio Valencia and Emile Heskey among those who started.
The final match of the Austrian trip is against Hannover 96 on Friday night.
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Weather for Wigan
Wednesday 08 February 2012
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