Martinez undecided on future
On Wednesday night Whelan granted Villa permission to talk to Martinez about the possibility of taking the helm at the midlands club.
Martinez is thought to be Villa owner Randy Lerner’s first choice for the position, which was vacated by Gerard Houllier last week, although Bolton’s Owen Coyle has been linked with the role too.
Whelan has shown complete faith in Martinez since he appointed the former Wigan player as manager in 2009, standing by him despite the club’s flirtation with relegation.
The Latics chairman says the 37-year-old is free to join Villa if he likes, but is confident of hanging on to his man and has offered the Spaniard a new and improved contract to encourage him to stay.
“I had a good meeting with Roberto yesterday and the decision whether he is going to stay or go is entirely in his hands,” Whelan said.
“I will support him whichever way he wants to go. I’ve offered him an extension to his contract and a better contract, because his current deal is down to a year.
“I have asked him to make a decision and tell me and the rest of the world, and I think he will be doing that in the next 24 hours.
“My gut feeling is he will stay at Wigan, but he will move in 12 or 18 months or two years, and he will go to one of the top European clubs.”
Whelan signed Martinez as one of the ‘three amigos’ alongside compatriots Isidro Diaz and Jesus Seba to play for Wigan in 1995.
He spent six years with the Lancashire club before eventually trying his hand at management with Swansea and then becoming Latics boss two summers ago.
He led Wigan to 16th place in the Barclays Premier League in his first term in charge and finished in the same position last season, just three points outside the relegation zone after a nail-biting end to the campaign.
The attractive style of play he employs has won him plenty of admirers within the game and Whelan accepts Villa are a big enough club to turn a manager’s head — although he feels Martinez will not be easily convinced to walk away from the DW Stadium.
“You have got to be realistic about it,” Whelan said. “If someone comes in — a big club like Villa — and says ‘we are going to double your wages’, a lot of people would jump and say ‘I am going to do that’.
“Roberto is not that kind of man. He thinks long and hard. He is into football hugely and is enjoying what he is doing at Wigan.
“He has learned so much and taught me so much. Together, we are a great partnership.”
Despite his record of keeping Wigan in the top flight for two successive years, the Villa job will be a big step up for Martinez should he agree to take charge.
Star striker Darren Bent committed his future to the club last week, but England winger Ashley Young seems likely to leave for Manchester United.
Young’s representatives are understood to be in talks with United over a potential move to Old Trafford as he seeks Champions League football.
The 25-year-old, who moved to Villa from Watford in 2007, is in the final year of his current contract.
Stewart Downing also appears to need convincing that his future lies with Villa after refusing to begin talks over a new deal.
Meanwhile Jordan Henderson has spoken of his excitement at signing for Liverpool after his move from Sunderland was confirmed last night.
Henderson has put pen to paper on what the Merseyside club have described as a “long-term deal” having visited the Reds’ Melwood training complex, undergone a medical and agreed personal terms on Wednesday.
Liverpool have paid an undisclosed fee for the highly-rated 20-year-old, reported to be up to £20million.
Henderson said: “I’m over the moon, overjoyed to be here and I’m really looking forward to it.
“I was flattered to know Liverpool were interested in me and, once I knew, it was a massive decision for me to make but also a massive opportunity.
“Obviously it’s hard to leave your local club. I’m a Sunderland lad, I’ve supported them all my life.
“But I’m really looking forward to the future now and obviously this is a massive opportunity for me. I’m really excited by it.”
A statement from Liverpool read: “Liverpool Football Club have completed the signing of Jordan Henderson after the 20-year-old passed a medical and agreed personal terms.
“Henderson travelled to Merseyside on Wednesday after a fee was agreed with Sunderland. He then underwent a medical examination in Liverpool before signing a long-term deal.”
Henderson admits he cannot wait to link up with midfield colleague Steven Gerrard.
“He is one of the best players in the world, you want to be playing with him and training with him to try to improve yourself as a player,” Henderson said.
It had been thought Reds striker David Ngog might travel in the opposite direction as part of the transfer but for now the Frenchman remains at Anfield.
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