Tottenham seal Palacios transfer

(GETTY IMAGES)

Tottenham have agreed terms with Wigan over the transfer of midfielder Wilson Palacios.

The move, believed to be worth around £14m, is subject to the Honduras international receiving a work permit.

The 24-year-old had been a bit hit at the JJB Stadium after signing for the Latics 12 months ago following a loan spell at manager Steve Bruce's former club Birmingham.

A statement on Spurs' official club website confirmed: "We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement for the transfer of Wilson Palacios from Wigan Athletic.

"Personal terms have been agreed and a medical completed, we now await the Honduran international receiving his work permit before completing his registration."

Bruce feels Palacios has the ability to become one of the best midfielders in the Barclays Premier League, and did all he could to persuade the Central American to stay.

"The club record transfer fee will be smashed if the deal goes through, but that was never mine or the club's motivation here," said the Wigan manager.

"The club is not in the business of trying to make a profit on players.

"I want to build a winning team here and keep my best players together.

"We did everything we could as a club to keep Wilson. We sat down with him last week and offered him a very good new deal, and tried to convince him his interests were best served by staying here at Wigan Athletic.

"However, I'm a big believer in not standing in the way of players' careers, as long as the terms are right for our club and I wish him all the best.

"He has served the club well in his short time with us and has been a credit to both himself and the club.

"It is no wonder we have some big clubs enquiring about our players because they have done very well this season."

Bruce is hoping to finalise a deal for Colombia striker Hugo Rodallega later this week.

"I always said that my biggest challenge this month was to keep the squad together, whilst trying to add to it at the same time," Bruce continued.

"There are always tough decisions to make, but it's my job to make what I see as the right choices for the long-term good of Wigan."