Latics closing in on main targets

FILIPE MORAIS . . . talks with Latics boss Paul Dickov.

ATHLETIC hope to finalise deals for three of their main targets soon.

One of them is Robbie Simpson, but manager Paul Dickov is keeping the other names secret for fear other clubs may step in.

Simpson tweeted last night: "I feel refreshed and ready to get going, bring on pre-season".
Morais, Bradley Diallo, Kirk Millar and Youssouf Mchangama have the weekend to mull over the offer. Morais is currently on holiday, but will hold talks with Dickov tomorrow.

"I am hoping our main targets will all be signed by the time we go to Portugal," said Dickov, who flies with his squad for a six-day pre-season training camp on July 13.

"But there are three players who, if they sign, will make the spine of the team look really strong. If we can get these three in, it would be a big boost for us."

With so many players reaching the end of their contracts at the end of this month, Dickov has already seen how quickly lofty demands can fall in a short space of time.

"We have had calls from agents who last week were asking for £3,000 or £4,000 a week for a player," Dickov added. "They have come back to us this week asking for £2,000 a week for the same player — and no doubt next week it will be £500 or £1,000 a week. They all know we have a wage structure here that we are sticking to."



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