Valencia joins United
Wigan Athletic have sold Ecuador international winger Antonio Valencia to Manchester United for a club record £15million fee.
Latics boss Roberto Martinez said he was disappointed to see Valencia leave the club, but accepted the transfer had become 'almost an inevitability'.
He also admitted the club had received an 'enormous financial boost' from the sale.
Martinez said: "I was not here when he arrived, but Antonio has become a big star at the club.
"He has been a marvellous player for us and now we will benefit enormously from the money that we get for him.
"As long as any deal is in the best long term interests of the club, and I believe this one is, then I will sanction it, and I know the chairman agrees.
"The bottom line here is that when two of the biggest clubs in the world come knocking, it would be near on impossible for any other club to prevent the move – even Manchester United couldn't stop Ronaldo leaving in the end, could they?
"Every club outside the Top Four is probably a selling club, and when you look at the careers of players like Antonio, or Wilson Palacios, or even Emile Heskey who regained his England shirt while he was here and earned himself a great move, it sends out a really strong message that Wigan Athletic is a very good prospect for players wanting to make a name for themselves in the Premier League, a club that gives players a chance and gives them a platform on which to shine. That is what really interests me."
For exclusive reaction from Antonio Valencia, see Wednesday's Wigan Evening Post.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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