Wigan ready to go right to deadline to secure full value for Chimbonda

Paul Jewell, the Wigan manager, has warned Tottenham that the price of Pascal Chimbonda could rise if they do not meet his club's £6m valuation before the transfer deadline. Despite handing in a transfer request on the final day of last season, the French defender is still no closer to his preferred move to Spurs, with the clubs unable to reach agreement on a transfer fee.

Wigan have been steadfast in their insistence on £6m for the full-back who was plucked from obscurity with Bastia 12 months ago while Spurs are sticking to the £4.5m rejected last month. But the 27-year-old remains part of Jewell's first team plans and was exemplary in Wigan's pre-season friendly against Vitesse Arnhem on Saturday.

"We have had a lot of dialogue with Tottenham this summer and they know what the deal is," Jewell said yesterday. "Perhaps as we get closer to deadline day and if Pascal is still playing well the price will go up, but they know what the price is at the moment. We don't want to sell - he's done very well in training and in the pre-season games - and until Tottenham come up with the money Pascal is not going. The price we have asked is not unreasonable."

Chimbonda was applauded off the pitch at the JJB Stadium on Saturday following a fine display that began amid jeers. Jewell added: "I haven't seen him smile yet but it's not about personality, it's about what he does on the pitch, and if he continues to do his best he will be in my team.

"I don't like to see any player booed but I can understand the fans' frustrations and, to be fair, they cheered him once they saw him giving his all."