Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan is determined to hold onto Liverpool target Luis Antonio Valencia.

The Latics have made a strong start to the season, with their six-game unbeaten run ended by Middlesbrough on Saturday.

And Whelan said it's inevitable that bigger clubs will be keeping tabs on their star players such as Valencia, who is also interesting Manchester United.

"We've got some fantastic young players here and we're going to get some clubs chasing them," he told the Wigan Evening Post.

"That's football. If you're a professional footballer you want to win things, I understand that. We will keep them as long as we can.

"We have a good team and a great spirit. Steve Bruce has instilled belief. The goal from Valencia against Man City was stunning, I know Man United have been watching him."