To answer the original question, I really rate Maloney at Wigan. If they go down, I'm sure he'll go to a Prem side, but not sure one of the top 5 or 6 teams would go in for him.
On the assumption that we and Gaston decide to part company this summer (which I strongly suspect), I think Maloney would be great to fit in behind the striker/s.
Top priority has to be a strong CB, but Maloney is the sort of player who I think would excite the fans, and also have an end product, which sadly isn't always the case with Gaston.