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Martinez moves closer to Liverpool switch

Roberto Martinez could give the thumbs-up to Liverpool by Tuesday of next week © Getty Images

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Roberto Martinez and Liverpool have held "constructive talks" over the possibility of the Wigan manager moving to Anfield, and he will have further discussions with the club on Tuesday of next week.

ESPN has been told Martinez wants assurances over the level of control he will have over team affairs before agreeing to become Liverpool's new manager.

Martinez flew to Miami to hold talks with Liverpool's owners FSG this week as the Reds upped the ante in their search for a successor to the sacked Kenny Dalglish.

Latics chairman Dave Whelan recently warned Martinez that he may not have full control of the club's transfer dealings, claiming FSG wishes to adopt a more European-style recruitment structure.

Speaking on Friday, Whelan confirmed Martinez's first set of talks with FSG had concluded, with further discussions planned next week as the Spanish coach mulls over whether the position at Anfield is right for him.

Whelan told ESPN: "Roberto has had a constructive meeting with Liverpool. He is now back at my home in Barbados. He returns to London on Tuesday, when he will have further talks with Liverpool and when a decision will be made.

"There was no other manager mentioned so I imagine they want Roberto. I don't want to lose him, but I made him a promise when he first joined that, if a big club came in for him, I'd let him go, and I will honour that promise.

"I am still not convinced it is a foregone conclusion, because they put their points on the table, and Roberto put his. He listened to their points, but I think they also listened to his and I think they are coming to terms with the way English football is run. Roberto wants control over football matters and that includes transfers, and if they agree to that, then I can see him becoming the Liverpool manager.

"Roberto works seven days a week, sometimes 12 hours a day. He is not the average manager, but he likes to run the football side, and I can see Liverpool's point of view about the amount of money spent on players. If they agree to let Roberto take responsibility for the transfers than I think he will go there, and I can see that Liverpool have set their sights on him."

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