Roberto Martinez has brushed aside suggestions that Antolin Alcaraz may not report for duty with Wigan.
Wigan boss rejects reports over summer signing
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has brushed aside suggestions that summer signing Antolin Alcaraz may not report for duty at the DW Stadium.
The Paraguay international's move to the Latics was confirmed prior to the World Cup following the expiry of his contract with Club Bruges.
But after impressing as the South American nation reached the quarter-finals in South Africa there were suggestions that Alcaraz could be tempted by alternative offers, with an interview given by the player adding further fuel to the fire.
However, Martinez has claimed that some of the 27-year-old's comments were lost in translation and has reiterated Wigan's stance that the deal announced earlier this summer is watertight.
He told the
Wigan Evening Post: "Antolin signed a contract with Wigan Athletic, he's a Wigan Athletic player and that's the end of it as far as I'm concerned.
"If he had wanted to wait until after the World Cup, he wouldn't have signed his contract. He would have waited.
"I do know that he's eager to get things sorted out and arrive here in Wigan.
Sorted
"Antolin had an interview back in his homeland, and the translation of that didn't really reflect what he was talking about or what he meant.
"What he said in the interview was that he doesn't know for sure where he is going to be until he receives his work permit.
"We need to make sure we get everything sorted now - and we will do."
Alcaraz could be plunged straight into Premier League action when Wigan face Blackpool on 14th August with fellow defenders Gary Caldwell (hip) and Titus Bramble (foot) on the sidelines through injury.
And Martinez would have no concerns about handing the summer signing an immediate bow, having had every faith in Alcaraz before he gained greater notoriety with his summer displays.
"He didn't surprise me," Martinez added. "He's a player we've followed for a long time and we knew him really well.
"The one thing that probably did exceed our expectations was how well Paraguay performed, how competitive they were and how much of a leader Antolin proved to be in that team."
