Australian striker McDonald has scored 14 goals for Celtic this season

Negotiations between Celtic and Wigan over the possible transfer of striker Scott McDonald have hit stalemate.

The Premier League club are keen to sign the striker, but BBC Scotland has learned that the Glasgow club's asking price is more than Wigan have offered.

Earlier this week Wigan boss Roberto Martinez confirmed his interest in the striker after watching McDonald score against Rangers in the Old Firm derby.

McDonald has also been linked with Gordon Strachan's Middlesbrough.

Strachan, who took over at Boro in October, signed McDonald for Celtic from Motherwell in 2007.

"He has a great record in Scotland, has played in Europe and is attractive to any Premier League team," said Martinez after watching McDonald come off the bench against Rangers.

606: DEBATE I can't believe he would be a better option for the second half of the season than Jason Roberts latician

"But I won't go into detail on names; we'll be linked with many names."

Although his agent insists McDonald wants to stay at Celtic Park, the lure of the Premier League could prove too strong to resist.

Hugo Rodallega has scored seven goals for Wigan this season, but £2m summer signing Jason Scotland has yet to find the target.

The Latics are 17th in the table and have the worst goal difference of any team in the Premier League at minus 23.

Martinez has begun to change the squad he inherited from predecessor Steve Bruce in the summer and says more changes could be on the cards.

"The first six months has been a perfect period for everyone to show, as an individual, what they want to do," said Martinez.

"It is quite clear certain players need a fresh challenge and, on the other side, we need to bring players in to help the squad.

"We will strengthen in every window and that is the way we have to do it.

MY SPORT: DEBATE Give your reaction to Wigan's interest

"We have to achieve short-term aims, but we are looking at long-term aims and to do that we have to bring in the right characters - players who are desperate to win games for Wigan."

The Spaniard told BBC Radio Manchester: "We're positive about the second half of the campaign, but this transfer period is going to be vital.

"It's going to be very important that we bring the right characters in to help the players we already have.

"That will allow us not just the short term ambition of staying in the Premier League, but to build for the future."

Wigan winger Olivier Kapo has joined Ligue 1 strugglers Boulogne on loan. The French international played 20 matches for the Latics after joining from Birmingham in 2008.

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