United made Valencia offer

Transfer news: Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has confirmed that Manchester United have made offers for Antonio Valencia

Transfer news:Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has confirmed that Manchester United have made offers for Antonio Valencia. It was reported at the weekend that Premier League champions United and Primera Liga giants Real Madrid had bid in excess of €19million for the Ecuador international.

Real - who have had a world-record €94m bid for United's Cristiano Ronaldo accepted - have since stated they have not shown an interest in Valencia since January.

However, Whelan has declared that United have been in contact for the past two to three months and that they have also submitted initial offers.

He told Sky Sports News when asked about Valencia: "They (United) have been in touch with us and we will be starting negotiations very shortly, I would imagine.

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"United have been in touch with us over Antonio for the last two or three months, expressing an interest and actually putting cash offers on the table.

"Those things have got to be picked up now. I think they were waiting to see if Ronaldo actually went to Real, which has happened."

He added: "Things will develop over the next seven to 14 days.

"The master, which is Sir Alex, he makes his moves when he is ready. He has strong interest in Antonio, there is no question in that.

"He had him watched practically every, single match last year. He has got a very strong interest in him. We are just sat on the fence now."

Whelan, though, is adamant that Wigan are not eager to cash in on Valencia.

"We are not desperate to sell Antonio, I'm telling you. If I can keep that lad, I'm going to keep him. He is one brilliant player," added Whelan. "So there is no pressure on me, or our football club to sell him. If Man United don't want to make a (written) offer, I'll be delighted and we will have him in our team next season."

United have also been linked with Chilean forward Alexis Sanchezwho plays for Udinese.

Sanchez's agent Fernando Felicevich is quoted by setanta.comas saying: "My partner is currently in England working on the transfer of Alexis.

“Yes, we have spoken to Manchester United, but not just to United. We have also held talks with other English teams.

“We are trying to do the transfer this summer.”

Atletico Madridpresident Enrique Cerezo says the club will listen to "interesting offers" for forward Sergio Aguero.

The Argentina international has been linked with a move to Chelsea after the Blues failed in their bids to sign Real Madrid new boy Kaka and Valencia striker David Villa.

Atletico have previously stated that they intend to keep Aguero at the Vicente Calderon but it now appears they may be prepared to sell highly-rated forward.

"We will open talks if an interesting offer is made," Cerezo told French radio station RMC. "Many people have spoken about Aguero but the truth is that Atletico have not been contacted by any suitor."