Valencia Going Nowhere!

Last updated : 10 April 2008 By Sam
Media reports had suggested that the 22-year-old midfielder, who signed a permanent contract in January following an 18-month loan spell at the JJB Stadium, could be set to join City in £5million deal in the summer.

"I'm sure there will be a lot of interest in Antonio, but I speak for the chairman as well as myself when I say the last thing we want to be doing is selling our better players," Bruce told the Wigan Evening Post.

"Let me tell you it would take a lot more than £5million for us to be interested - we paid almost that amount to bring him here.

"The one thing about being the Wigan Athletic manager is that, if the team is performing well, you are going to have to fend off interest in your good players.

"Chris Kirkland, Valencia, Wilson Palacios for example are all playing well and other clubs will look at them.

"The good thing here, the beauty of it, is that we don't need the money. The chairman doesn't need any more money.

"If anyone wants any of my players they are going to have to pay a premium rate.

"When I was told about this supposed £5million interest in Valencia, I laughed, and I mean laughed!"