Everton to approach Roberto Martinez after he decides to quit Wigan

The Spaniard met with Latics chairman Dave Whelan on Tuesday to confirm he wanted to move on from the club he has been at since 2009.

Whelan also revealed that Everton had already contacted him last Friday, requesting to speak to the 39-year-old.

Whelan rejected that initial request, saying he wanted to hear from the Spaniard first after he had spent the weekend deliberating over his future.

He has always said he would let Martinez go if he wanted to and that wish now appears to have been granted.

It looks like Everton will now move in and interview Martinez for the manager’s position, vacated by David Moyes earlier this month.

The one sticking point could be the amount of compensation Wigan will demand, with Whelan known for being a notoriously tough negotiator. He has already publically demanded that Martinez be ‘bought out’ of the remaining 12 months of his contract.

A fee of around £5million has been mentioned, though Martinez’s desire to leave the club has strengthened Everton’s bargaining position.

They are not the only club interested in him either, Stoke and Malaga have also been linked with a move for the former Swansea boss, though the latter seems a more realistic destination than the former.

If Martinez is indeed Everton’s number one choice then they could do with moving quickly. Moyes has already begun making plans with United and shifting his backroom staff, even though he is officially contracted with Everton until July.

A swift appointment could ease the transition and also help the supporters begin to look forward after an emotional and uncertain few weeks.