Pascal Chimbonda has stunned Wigan boss Paul Jewell by handing in a transfer request after the final league game of the season at Arsenal.
The 27-year-old French defender, who signed a four-year contract in November, demanded to quit Wigan immediately after the 4-2 defeat.
Chimbonda has been linked with a succession of clubs, but chairman Dave Whelan will demand at least £6m.
"The timing of the request was absolutely diabolical," said Whelan.
"If anybody wants to pay £6m, they can buy him. If they don't, he can play in the reserves"
"There is a time and a place to do such a thing, and after a game like this is not that time."
And the Latics chief threatened to leave Chimbonda to rot in the reserves if no club comes up with the money.
"I have said to him we will not stand in his way because we cannot afford to have players at this club who do not want to play for us.
"However, the price is £6m, not a penny less. If anybody wants to pay that, they can buy him. If they don't, he can play in the reserves until his contract is over."
It has not been a happy ending to the season for Wigan, who have also lost the services of Jimmy Bullard to Fulham.
Last week, Chimbonda was voted into the Professional Footballers' Association team of the season.