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ESPNsoccernet: Transfers | |
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has been in contact with Hamburg about a possible loan move for highly-rated Netherlands winger Eljero Elia, who has fallen out of favour at the Bundesliga side.
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Elia, 23, has struggled for first-team opportunities this season despite enjoying an extremely successful debut camapign with Hamburg in 2009-10 after joining the club from FC Twente, which culminated in his selection for Netherlands' World Cup squad in South Africa.
The winger, who possesses electric pace, tricky feet and an excellent delivery from the wings, emerged as one of the hottest prospects in Europe during his time with Twente and won the Johan Cruyff Award in 2009 for being the Eredivisie's best young talent.
Liverpool have been strongly linked with a move for Elia, who is thought to be valued at around £13 million, but Wigan have now entered the race to sign him - albeit on loan - with Latics winger Charles N'Zogbia looking increasingly likely to leave the club in January.
"There has been an offer from Wigan Athletic, which wanted to hire him for half the season," Hamburg's sporting director Bastian Reinhardt said. "But will not rush to agree to such things. Apart from that, there have been no offers."