Wigan have issued an official statement on Monday night confirming Yanic Wildschut has handed in a transfer request, following several bids from two Championship clubs - believed to be Norwich City and Derby County.
Reports had emerged earlier in the evening the duo had upped the ante with £6m enquiries after initially getting knocked back at the weekend. Wildschut has now indicated he wants to leave following interest from rival Championship clubs, but the Latics are determined to drive a hard bargain for their prized asset ahead of Tuesday's 11pm transfer window deadline.
Wigan released a statement on their official site which read: 'Wigan Athletic can confirm that Yanic Wildschut has handed in a transfer request following a succession of bids from two rival Championship clubs over the weekend and again today.'
Wigan chairman David Sharpe added: 'We made a significant commitment in signing Yanic this time last year and he has clearly thrived at our club and we feel this action from him now is inappropriate and very disappointing at such a crucial point of the season.
'This is not the way to repay the faith we have shown in him. I've always had a good relationship with Yanic and I feel he has let the club, his team mates and our supporters down by taking this action.
'Yanic is a very important player to us and we do not have a desire to sell our best players. That said, every player has a value and we will not be put under pressure to sell a player for less than our valuation.'
Wildschut returned after a hamstring injury for his side's FA Cup exit at Manchester United on Sunday, following which Latics' boss Warren Joyce reiterated he wanted Wildschut to stay but the left-sided attacker now sees his future away from the DW Stadium.
Alex Neil refused to be drawn on weekend speculation linking him with the 25-year-old, after watching his side beat Birmingham 2-0, but Neil is keen to bolster his squad ahead of Tuesday's 11pm transfer deadline.
Ajax defender Mitchell Dijks is set to seal an initial loan move on Tuesday after flying in from Holland but further additions are linked to Robbie Brady's future. The Republic of Ireland international is poised for a club-record move to Premier League Burnley, which will generate funds for Neil to try and bring in reinforcements.
Dijks' representative, Dick van Burik, told Dutch national paper De Telegraaf on Monday Neil's refusal to take no for an answer had resurrected a proposed deal which looked to have collapsed last week following earlier talks over a permanent switch.
'Norwich City didn't let him go. Dijks doubted initially, because he doesn't want to play the next season in the second level. Now he goes to do everything with Norwich,' he said. 'Alex Neil, the trainer wanted him at all costs and Mitchell finally crossed the line.'
Reports in Holland suggest City may have also negotiated an option to buy the defender at the end of the current season. It is believed that would hinge on City's league status next season given the player was initially reluctant to drop down to the second tier in England.
Dijks, who was touted with Premier League champions Leicester City last year after being called up to the national squad, was an unused substitute in Sunday's 1-0 Eredivisie win at FC Utrecht. The left-back last featured for the four-time European Cup winners on December 11.
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