Wigan Athletic boss Steve Bruce will spend whatever is raised from the sale of Manchester United and Real Madrid target Antonio Valencia.

"Valencia's sale is inevitable. When you have five or six of the biggest clubs in the world after you it is very difficult for us to stand in the boy's way," he said.

"We will see what develops over the next few weeks - but I don't know where they get the £21million from.

"He has done fantastically well and if we do get big money for him the one thing we will try to do is reinvest it back in the squad and try to make it stronger and better if we can.

"No-one wants to lose their best players but we are realistic here. It is always a problem; it was a problem in January which I tried to fight off before I came to the conclusion I was swimming against the tide.

"We've got it again with Antonio but it is what it is, we understand we are Wigan and to make us bigger and better it is what we have to do.

"I don't think it affects the rest of the squad. The kid has had an outstanding season and an outstanding season last year.

"He has made himself one of the best right-sided players in the Premier League and with that comes a premium.

"He is 23 and although there is frustration as a manager you don't want to lose your top players but sometimes it has to be."