Roberto Martinez is set to be appointed as Everton's new manager after Wigan chairman Dave Whelan on Monday claimed he had agreed a compensation deal with the Premier League club.
Martinez was Everton's top choice to succeed David Moyes at Goodison Park after leading Wigan to a shock FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
The 39-year-old confirmed he wanted to leave Wigan following the Latics' relegation from the Premier League earlier this month and Whelan has granted his wish after negotiating compensation of around £1.5 million.
"Bill Kenwright (Everton chairman) and myself have agreed a deal," Whelan told BBC Sport on Monday.
Martinez, who had snubbed approaches from Liverpool and Aston Villa over the last two years, is now expected to be confirmed as Everton boss later this week.
Although the Spaniard failed to keep Wigan in the top-flight this season, he is still regarded as one of the brightest young managers in England.
He had managed to keep Wigan competitive in the Premier League despite their status as one of the division's minnows, avoiding relegation three times before this season's drop, while also playing attractive football and showing a keen eye for a bargain buy.
Those qualities appear to have persuaded Kenwright to choose Martinez ahead of other leading candidates such as Porto boss Vitor Pereira and Red Bull Salzburg general manager Ralf Rangnick.
Martinez, who joined Wigan from Swansea in 2009, will be expected to build on the fine work of Moyes, whose impressive 11-year reign at Goodison convinced Manchester United to hire him as Alex Ferguson's successor.
Meanwhile, Milton Keynes Dons boss Karl Robinson and Martinez's Wigan assistant Graeme Jones have been linked with the soon to be vacant manager's job at the DW Stadium.
Source: AFP
