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Image: Roberto Martinez: The Wigan boss has identified new players according to chief executive Jonathan Jackson

Chief executive Jonathan Jackson insists Wigan will still look to strengthen their squad, despite constant speculation surrounding Roberto Martinez.

Chief executive pressing ahead with new transfer targets

Wigan chief executive Jonathan Jackson insists the club will still look to strengthen their squad this summer, despite constant speculation surrounding manager Roberto Martinez. The Spaniard had been linked with the vacant managerial positions at Liverpool and Aston Villa in recent weeks, but chairman Dave Whelan says he has now agreed to remain at the DW Stadium next season. And now Jackson wants the Lancashire club to move fast in the transfer window as they look to bring in new recruits. "Before he went on holiday, Roberto identified a number of players who we are looking to recruit," Jackson told the Wigan Evening Post. "And we have been working hard to secure those deals as we speak. "The season has only just finished, but you have to move quickly in these situations. And if Roberto wants a player we'll do everything we can to make it happen."

Sensible

Steve Gohouri, Henry Thomas, Chris Kirkland, Hugo Rodallega and Mohamed Diame all became free agents after their contracts expired at the end of the season. And although Athletic tried to retain the services of Rodallega and Diame, Jackson felt it was right for the club not to overstretch their budget in terms of wages. "Hugo and Momo are both top-quality players, and we don't like to see top-quality players leaving the club," he acknowledged. "Having said that, neither played very much in the last few weeks of the campaign. "Would you say either were fundamental to the success of the club in the second half of the season? No they weren't. "And we need to make sure the football club is run as a business. We have to be sensible about it. "Unfortunately when players do well, bigger clubs are going to want them. "But players come and go, and we're no different to anyone else in that respect. "We tried very hard to retain those two players, but both wanted to keep their options open and they were perfectly entitled to do that."

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