Rather, on 15th January Zaki claimed on his website that he was in talks with Hull City. Later that night, chairman Adam Pearson confirmed the interest but said it was by no means "a done deal."
Three days later, having passed a medical over the weekend, a £400,000 loan deal until the end of the season was confirmed subject to a work permit being granted.
Pearson said: "He had a checkered background with Wigan last year and there's obviously a risk element in such a deal.
"But we feel that the boy has something to prove and hopefully we'll see a hungry player."
Zaki said he wants to "work hard in the Premier League, score goals and help Hull City."
Should he maintain these good relations throughout his loan spell he could be a pivotal player in Hull City's fight against relegation, culminating with a run-in of fixtures against Bruce's Sunderland at the Circle, a return to Wigan's home ground, and a last day meeting with the team he scored his famous brace against - Liverpool.