Latics say ‘no’ to agents

ATHLETIC have issued a warning to unscrupulous agents: you’ll get NOTHING from us.

In urging fans not to panic over a lack of signings, manager Paul Dickov has vowed not to be taken for a ride.

When it comes to demands for payment from players’ agents, Athletic will simply say no.

“There is no need to panic,” said Dickov, “We are speaking to a lot of players at the moment. The problem can be that agreements are reached but then the agent will look to try to get a better deal.

“The message we are putting out is that we have got our budget and we are sticking to it. If agents are coming to us asking to be paid, that is simply not something we are prepared to do.

“I think throughout the game it is becoming something clubs are more reluctant on.

“In my first couple of years here, perhaps I thought it was the norm. But not any more.”

Records show Athletic handed over agent fees totalling £4,492 between October 2010 and September 2011.

The total paid by clubs to agents was £16.7million during that period.

Athletic still expect to tie up the deal to re-sign James Wesolowski soon.



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