Roberto Martinez: Looks set to leave Wigan for Everton this week

Martinez has been the favourite to take on the managerial vacancy at Goodson Park since David Moyes quit Everton for Manchester United last month.

The Toffees will hold further discussions with Martinez in the next 24 hours to finalise details of his contract on Merseyside.

Martinez informed Latics owner Whelan last week that he had decided to quit his post this summer following the club's relegation to the Championship.

"He'd spoken to Everton because I gave them permission," Whelan said.

"When he came back and told me how it had gone, it had gone very well and he was probably in the last two or three on the list.

"Then the chairman rang me and discussed the compensation deal with me, and we agreed that this evening."

The Spaniard is Wigan's most successful manager after winning the FA Cup in May with a 1-0 victory over big-spending Manchester City at Wembley.

Whelan has always made it clear that he would never stand in Martinez's way if he wished to move on, although he wanted a fair price.

Wigan will now be able to start their own search for a new manager, which is expected to begin at the end of the week.

Vitor Pereira of Porto and former Schalke coach Ralf Rangnick had been among the other names linked with the Everton role and chairman Bill Kenwright previously insisted Martinez was not the only candidate, but it looks as though the Spaniard's appointment will be confirmed this week.