Wigan are closing in on the signing of Paraguay defender Antolin Alcaraz and hope he will be a big hit in the Premiership next season.

The Latics just managed to beat the drop this season and it is going to take more than the arrival of Alcarez to prevent them from being sucked into another relegation battle in the next campaign.

Roberto Martinez’s men played some great stuff at times and looked world beaters when turning over both Chelsea and Arsenal at the DW Stadium but they were far too inconsistent and hovered just above relegation all season.

The 9-1 hammering at Tottenham earlier in the season highlighted all their frailties, while the 8-0 defeat at Chelsea, albeit with 10 men for much of the game, showed Martinez has a stack of work to do.

At least he recognises the problem areas and the Spaniard believes that Alcaraz will add some much-needed quality at the back.

“We are thrilled to have been able to capture a player of calibre of Antolin,” Martinez told the club’s website.

“I think everyone will realise what a quality player he is when we see him at the World Cup for Paraguay.

“He is a highly versatile defender with great awareness and distribution and has great pride in keeping clean sheets.

“He is entering the best period of his career and is looking forward to adding to his international and European experience, as well as playing for his country in the World Cup.”

Martinez needs even more quality if Wigan are to edge their way up towards the top 10 but it is not the only problem he faces this summer.

Trying to keep his best players will also be a difficult job as the vultures are already starting to circulate.

There are already rumours doing the rounds suggesting Charles N’Zogbia is a target for Birmingham, while there will be no shortage of interest in Hugo Rodallega this summer.

Wigan are without doubt a selling club and any big offers that come in will be accepted. That has been proven in the past when the likes of Wilson Palacios, Antonion Valencia and Lee Cattermole have all been allowed to leave as soon as the big money comes out.

Even so there is still plenty to be optimistic about at Wigan. It is not that long since they were playing in the non-league and the fact they are turning themselves into an established Premiership club is a near miracle.

They will flirt with danger again but Martinez will be confident of again beating the drop, especially if he can keep his top men and draft a few more in at the same time.

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