WIGAN striker Arouna Kone has sparked a chase for his signature by declaring he does not intend to play for Wigan in the Championship.

And it would appear that his former boss Roberto Martinez is a manager he is hoping to attract.

Martinez brought the Ivorian international to England in August 2012 from Spanish side Levante for £3.5m and he proved a bargain buy with 13 goals.

Kone said this weekend: “I always have ambitions as a footballer and I don’t intend to play in the English second division.

‘Wigan have gone down, which is a real shame. It’s up to them to set out their stance about my situation. I aim to play for one of the best clubs in England, and I hope I will get the chance.

‘I’m under contract with Wigan for two more years. But if there is an offer that is good for both me and Wigan I will seek to leave.

“I’ve had plenty of approaches. I can’t reveal the names of the clubs. But Crystal Palace have gone up, and from the moment a club is in the Premier League that is good for me.”

The Blues would clearly carry more appeal than Palace should Martinez want to take Kone to Goodison. After a sparkling start to his Premier League career Martinez said: “We’re so pleased with Arouna. He has been a joy to work with.

“I have never seen a foreign player arrive in England and adapt so quickly and be able to be himself. He has shown he can cope with the physicality of the league and on top of that, he has incredible finishing ability and technical quality. We’ve been extremely blessed to have Arouna in our dressing room.”

Martinez, who has been in Brazil at the Confederations Cup tournament, had already spoken to chairman Bill Kenwright about potential targets before flying out.

Lorient defender Ecuele Manga, meanwhile, is another player keen on a move to the Premier League and says he would “realise a dream” if Everton came in for him.

The Gabonese international was linked with a move to the Toffees in 2011, and the 24-year-old caught Martinez’s eye while he was at Wigan.

“Wigan were interested in me the last two seasons,” said Manga “but I wanted a big challenge and I was not ready for that.

“My agent is talking to various English clubs so things can move quickly. Everton could be great for me and they are a huge club in England.

“I will realise my dream playing for such a club.”