VICTOR MOSES was at the centre of a bitter war of words last night as he moved closer to a move to Chelsea.

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan insists the 21-year-old forward owes the Latics everything for developing him over 2½ years.

But Moses’ agent Tony Finnigan hit back by saying the club should be grateful the Nigeria star turned down Manchester City to join them in January 2010.

Chelsea had a bid of around £3m laughed off earlier this week because Wigan value him at around three times that amount.

Whelan is disappointed Moses, with a year left on his current deal, has shown no willingness to consider a new contract.

Latics have offered to double Moses’ money to around £40,000 a week if he stays.

Whelan said: “We took this lad as a teenager and everything he has he owes to Roberto Martinez and Wigan Athletic.”

Finnigan countered: “All I will say is: How did Vic end up at Wigan, when he could have gone to Manchester City? Who took him to Wigan?”