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Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez is waiting for confirmation of Mario Melchiot’s future amid reports the defender has moved to Qatar.
Latics captain Melchiot will be out of contract at the DW Stadium at the end of the month and has been offered a deal to stay at the Premier League club.
However, reports have claimed that the Dutch defender has already agreed to join Qatari-based club Umm Salal and Martinez accepts Melchiot has a lot to consider.
“Mario has got a contract with us until June 30, so effectively he is our player until then,” Martinez told the Wigan Evening Post.
“He has received an offer from ourselves, but it seems he has other options including a very good offer from a club in Qatar.
“He is 33 – 34 in November – and obviously this will be a key decision for him and what he wants to do for his next football challenge.
“He has to make the right decision, and I do understand there is a lot to consider.
“We will find out what happens over the next few days – anything else is guesswork. There is not much else I can say on the matter.”
Magnificent example
Regardless of Melchiot’s decision, Martinez believes the full-back has made a valuable contribution during his three years at Wigan.
Martinez added: “Whatever happens I would like to thank Mario for everything he has done for Wigan Athletic.
“He has been a true ambassador for this club, a great professional and a magnificent example to all the youngsters we have here.“It has been a real pleasure to work with him this season.”
Wigan’s veteran defender Mario Melchiot has joined the exodus of ageing players from the Premier League and Serie A to join clubs in the Gulf.
The 33-year-old Dutchman has agreed to join Umm Salal in Qatar.
Last week Italy’s captain Fabio Cannavaro joined Al Ahli in Dubai and last month Lekhwiya in Qatar signed Portsmouth’s Aruna Dindane.Melchiot, who had been offered a new contract but with a pay cut at Wigan, has signed a lucrative two-year deal.
The Dutchman, who also had spells at Chelsea and Birmingham, was in the Wigan team which shipped eight goals at Chelsea last month and lost 9-1 at Tottenham in November.
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