AS claims that Real Mallorca boss Joaquin Caparros has identified Mexican international Hugo Ayala as the man to replace Ivan Ramis.
Centre-back Ramis is wanted by Wigan Athletic and has already expressed a desire to move to England and link up with countryman Roberto Martinez at the DW Stadium, although so far the Premier League club have failed to come up with the €6m Mallorca are demanding.
However, Wigan are understood to have offered €5.1m for the 27-year-old in the last few days, an amount that would be enough should Ramis be willing to waive the €900,000 he would earn from the deal under the terms of his contract.
Even so, it appears Caparros is now resigned to losing one of the key figures in his starting line-up and could make a move for Ayala, 25, who still has two years of his contract with Tigres to run but is believed to be ready to try his luck in Europe.
Mallorca President Jaume Cladera, however, was giving nothing away.
“We are searching for a central defender and efforts are being made, but I can assure you we have not signed anyone yet,” he commented.
