Wigan Athletic boss Steve Bruce has slapped an £18 million price-tag on Wilson Palacios.

Palacios, 24, signed a three-year contract with Wigan this month and has been linked with Manchester United, but Bruce values him in the same bracket as Gareth Barry, of Aston Villa.

"When you see the fees being quoted, such as £18 million for Gareth Barry just because he plays for a more fashionable club, then that sets the level," Bruce said.