By PHIL THOMAS
ROBERTO MARTINEZ met Liverpool chiefs last night.
But Wigan supremo Dave Whelan has warned the Kop bigwigs it will cost them £3million if they want the Latics boss.
Martinez jetted to Miami for talks with Liverpool’s American owners John W Henry and Tom Werner. But the pair will still fly to England next week to speak with Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers.
Whelan said: “Liverpool would have to buy out Roberto’s contract. You’re into £3million but I am sure Liverpool would honour that. I gave him my permission to talk to Liverpool and he’s just carrying that out.
“He has to listen to what they say and tell them what he wants but a bit will depend on the owners because I don’t think they fully understand football in England.
“We have to see what they are offering and what control he’d get because Roberto likes total control from the youngsters to the first team.
“If he doesn’t get that, I don’t think he’d take it — but we will have to wait and see.”
Whelan has set a deadline of one week from 38-year-old Martinez’s return from holiday in Barbados next Tuesday for a decision to be made.
Rodgers remains right in the frame to replace Kenny Dalglish, despite knocking back an earlier chance to talk because he did not want to merely add his name to a long list.
The Irishman won huge credit for taking Swansea into the top flight and finishing just five points adrift of Liverpool.
Rodgers, 39, also has big-club experience having worked as part of Jose Mourinho’s backroom team at Chelsea.
Former Dutch national boss Louis van Gaal, 60, is in the running to be sporting director at Anfield, with a young manager working under him.
