Wigan boss unhappy transfer window stays open as Chelsea target is picked

Friday, August 17, 2012
11:01 AM

Transfer news: Roberto Martinez is unhappy with current system

Roberto Martinez has called for the transfer window to end once the season begins.

The Wigan Athletic manager is preparing to host Chelsea on Sunday as the two club kick off the Barclays Premier League campaigns.

The match comes with added spice as the Blues have been linked with moves for Wigan striker Victor Moses all summer, while Latics Dave Whelan this week accused the Champions League winners of “messing about” in their pursuit of the 21-year-old by failing to meet his asking price, which is believed to be in the region of £9 million.

Yet with over two weeks to go until the transfer window closes a deal could yet be reached to prise Moses away from the Athletic boss

“I don’t like it, I have expressed many times that I don’t agree with the transfer window going on while there are official games,” Martinez said.

“I have always said that. I do feel there is a need for a transfer window, it is beneficial, but I don’t think it helps when it is open when you are playing official games.

“It happens everywhere, it gives you uncertainty and I don’t think that helps the game. The players are footballers but they are human beings.”

Moses is in Martinez’s squad for the Chelsea game but he has no qualms with picking the player.

“For Victor it’s been an exciting summer,” he said.

“I spoke with him and told him he should be very proud, as a footballer at 21, to get the interest he has had. It’s something to be happy and extremely proud about and is a football compliment.

“But, if you don’t meet a valuation, it becomes paper talk and speculation. He is a young man and he knows what he did from December to the end of the season was a great level of performance.

“He can take it on to the next level and I am very excited to have Victor at Wigan, and I hope we can keep him for many years to come. Victor is fit and available for the squad and that’s what matters.”