Latics close in on Kirkland

The players agent revealed last week (to skysports) that numerous Premiership clubs were chasing Kirkland, and it now appears that, with just a few minor issues to be ironed out, Wigan are on the verge of securing his signature.

Liverpool already have Jose Reina, Jerzy Dudek and Scott Carson ahead of Kirkland in the pecking order and are willing to let the England international to leave.

Kirkland looked set to sign permanently for West Brom last season but after a promising early start to his Hawthorns career, he picked up an injury which forced him to sit on the sidelines. West Broms relegation ruled out their hopes of signing Kirkland on a permanent basis.

Wigan have had a long-term interest in Kirkland and tried to sign him last summer, and Latics boss Paul Jewell is a big fan of Kirkland. The Wigan boss sees him as first choice goalkeeper next season if he can prove his fitness.

Now back to full-fitness, Kirkland is keen on a move away from Liverpool so that he can get regular first-team football and try and win his place back in the England squad, after being included in earlier squads at the beginning of last season.