Last Updated: Tue, 06 May 2008 09:56
Wigan boss Steve Bruce has jetted out to Egypt in an effort to tie up a transfer deal for highly-rated striker Amr Zaki.
Bruce wasted no time in starting his rebuilding plans for the summer months after Latics guaranteed their Premier League status with an impressive 2-0 win at Aston Villa on Saturday. And a swoop for £5million-rated El Zamelek hitman Zaki is first on his agenda as he flew out to the player's homeland to watch him in action and look to tie up a deal.
Zaki has scored 22 times in 54 games for El Zamelek, who rescued him from a disappointing stint at Russian outfit Lokomotiv Moscow in 2006. He also has 21 international goals, including three in Egypt's successful African Nations Cup campaign earlier this year.
Bruce is looking to bring more goals to the JJB Stadium this summer after seeing his side score just 34 so far with one game remaining - only relegated Derby have scored fewer.
He recently told the Evening Post: "Our top scorer this season is Marcus Bent with seven goals, with three of those coming in one game.
"Then we have players on five and six goals, so that really is an area we really need to improve on for next season.
"I think the most important thing for a club like ours is to get a striker who can make a difference - that is where I would spend the money if I could source one."
Bruce must also decide if he will turn Bent's loan spell from Charlton into a permanent £1million transfer in the summer, while Honduran midfielder Hendry Thomas is also thought to be a target.