Latics open Zabi move talks

Wigan Athletic manager Steve Bruce has made Egypt international Amr Zabi his number one transfer target this summer.

After leading the Latics to safety with a 2-0 win at Aston Villa on Saturday, Bruce flew to the Middle East to open talks with the 25-year-old El Zamelek striker.

It is believed Zaki will cost £5million but Bruce is willing to spend such a sum in a bid to bolster his side's strikeforce.

Julius Aghahowa is expected to move to Turkey at the end of the season, while Marcus Bent is only on a season-long loan at the JJB Stadium.

That would leave only Emile Heskey and Marlon King as Bruce's main attacking threat and Zaki has been targeted as the man to improve Wigan's options.

He has netted 22 times in 54 games for El Zamelek, who signed him from Lokomotiv Moscow in 2006, and scored four goals in six games as Egypt won the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.

Bruce said: "Our top scorer this season is Marcus Bent with seven goals, with three of those coming in one game.

"Then we have players on five and six goals, so that really is an area we need to improve on for next season.

"I think the most important thing for a club like ours is to get a striker who can make a difference - that's where I'd spend the money if I could source one."