Wigan look set to move for Joel
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 3:38 AM | by Jack Johnson
Wigan are rarely the biggest movers in the transfer window, and if they are featured in a headline it’s normally because their best player who heroically kept them up at the tail-end of last season is about to be poached by a bigger club.
However, Roberto Martinez is a canny operator in the transfer market and this time looks set to bring in Atletico Madrid keeper Joel on a loan deal in what the Mail describe as a ‘major coup’.
Joel is currently third choice in Madrid but is apparently very highly thought of and is largely excepted to take the first team spot when Ateltico’s current number 1 Thibaut Courtois returns to Chelsea.
If, as reported, the Latics do bring in Joel in the coming days it is as yet unclear if it is to replace Ali Al Habsi or simply to provide cover and competition for the 31-year-old Omani. Currently occupying the bench at the DW is Veteran stopper Mike Pollit, who has not been considered first choice for some time, and at 40-years-old he is hardly sufficient back-up should Al Habsi pick up an injury.
Even if Al Habsi does stay fit, his form this season has not been of the same high standards that he normally sets and a few games on the bench watching young Joel do his thing could be just the kick up the backside that Wigan’s current number one needs.
Martinez has already added Manchester United forward Angelo Henriquez to his side in the short time the window has been open, however with Wigan once again very much in a relegation scrap it remains to be seen if these low-key loan deals will be enough to keep them up.
Jack Johnson
