Ivan Ramis is set to join Wigan Athletic after turning down the chance to move to West Ham United.
Latics chairman Dave Whelan has revealed that the 27-year old Spanish centre-back is on the verge of completing his departure from Mallorca mainly due to the fact that he wants to continue speaking Spanish which he can do under Roberto Martinez at the DW Stadium.
"It's down to the influence of Roberto," he said of Ramis who has passed a medical with Wigan.
"The player doesn't speak English and didn't want to go to West Ham, who had already agreed a deal.
"But Roberto asked me to go out to Mallorca where I met their chairman and with the club in receivership, they accepted my offer and then I went to see the player."
