Wigan confirm interest in Webster

Webster, 24, hopes to use article 17 of Fifa's transfer rules, which allow him to join a club outside Scotland if adequate notice has been received.

"This is a new kind of Bosman," said Latics chief executive Brenda Spencer.

"Andy is hoping to be the first player to move before the end of his contract, using the new Fifa rule."

Fifa now allows players in the third year of a four-year deal to join a club in another country.

Webster had to hand in his notice within 15 days of the end of the season to comply with the regulation.

The player handed in his notice at Hearts at the end of last season, although it is not clear whether he beat the deadline.

A Fifa tribunal would have to decide on a transfer fee, but the rule suggests that Hearts would only receive the player's annual wage by way of compensation, not the £2m transfer fee they want.

Spencer was in Edinburgh to talk with Webster on Wednesday.

Wigan are thought to have taken advice from Fifa on the matter and believe they will not have to pay anything like the £2m Hearts are looking for.

Spencer added: "We have had to deal extensively with legal departments and consultants who are experts in European player issues.

"But hopefully, the matter will be concluded very soon. It has been a very complicated process but this will be a unique transfer."

Webster was frozen out for the latter part of last season after refusing to extend his Hearts contract.

He has not played for the club since April and failed to report for the pre-season tour of Austria, despite being warned he would never play for Hearts again.

Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham City are also interested in signing the Scotland central defender.

Hearts, meanwhile are in negotiations with the Scottish Professional Footballers' Association about Webster, who has one year left of his contract with the Scottish Premier League club.

Taken from the BBC