It is being reported that Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has granted Roberto Martinez permission to speak with Everton, following the Spaniard’s request to leave the club.

Martinez informed Whelan of his request this afternoon and will soon open talks with Everton about taking over from David Moyes.

"Roberto wants to move on,” Whelan said.

"He feels he's not the man to lead us back into the Premier League. I've got to accept what he feels.

"We will let him go but he's on a 12-month rolling contract so if he moves someone will have to buy him out of his final year. Everton rang me and I said they have permission to talk to him."

Whelan told BBC Radio Five Live: "I did tell Roberto before I spoke to him this morning that Everton chairman Bill Kenwright had rung me and on Friday and asked for permission to speak to him.

"If he decided to leave us, he is a must for Everton. He plays football from back to front and Everton like to play football from back to front. In my mind he is tailor made to manage Everton."

Martinez leaves Wigan having suffered relegation from the Premier League, but won the FA Cup this season.